The Patriots Decision to Sign Milton Williams Looks Better by the Day
Mid-May is hardly the time for major, breaking, narrative-changing stories in the NFL. Aside from the schedule release and a few rookie camps, this is to pro football news what the middle of summer is for network TV. The equivalent of reruns, prime time game shows, and obstacle courses crawling with ninja warriors.
But then again, we're getting close to the beginning of what to me is going to be the Patriots Summer of Optimism. When we put the days of worrying about coaching changes and a talent-starved roster behind us, and actually start looking forward into a future of more positive vibes then you'll find at an outdoor reggae festival. Except I intend to be a lot higher on the Pats supply than any middle aged, cannabis-fueled, Prius-driving suburban hippie dancing to Bob Marley covers, I assure you.
There are many reasons for my irrational hope for 2025. And perhaps none has me more geared up for Week 1 of the season more than Milton Williams. In case you forgot what I said three paragraphs ago, this is the middle of May. Things are quiet. And yet the highest paid player in New England history is still giving this '80s kid Reasons to Be Cheerful, Parts 1, 2 and 3:
(I honestly don't know you kids survived growing up in an age without absolute bangers like this.)
The upshot is that Williams has come off a championship season with the Eagles where he could've easily been the Super Bowl MVP, received the highest Pro Football Focus pass rush grade among all defensive tackles, and the fourth highest pass rush win percentage. And no sooner did he report to Foxboro than he's demonstrated he's not only buying into Mike Vrabel's program, he's stepping up to lead it.
In the weight room:
On the practice field:
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Setting that tone with his new teammates:
… front, and everyday we come in we’re gonna set the tone, and then everybody else will follow. Me and him are gonna set the table for the defense we’re gonna be this year, and we’re gonna carry us throughout the year.”
Regarding Barmore, one of the best Patriots players on the roster since he was drafted in 2021. But he had a rough time last season due to blood clots. (I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure those are among the scariest kinds of clots you can have.) He only appeared in four games, but appears to healthy again. Credit to Greg Bedard for pointing out that one of the knocks on Barmore coming out of Alabama was that his work ethic wasn't the greatest, but that there have been no signs of that since he's been in New England (cued to the 8:50 mark):
But that nevertheless, Williams is that kind of guy with the infectious enthusiasm for putting in the work that will energize an entire locker room. For sure his position group. And with he and Barmore having a competition to see who can beat whom into the gym every morning, Williams is already proving it.
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Bedard also references an Eagles podcast from 2023 on the very topic of how Milton Williams came to be one of those workaholic types. And for a Patriots fan in 2025, it's the kind of thing you used to have to call a 1-900 number and pay $4.99 and hour to listen to:
Uncovering the Birds - The Eagles’ defensive tackle rotation is stacked - anchored by blue chip talent. So how did Milton Williams, a former third-round pick, get in the mix? Far from a household name, Williams started to show signs of promise down the stretch last year, in 2022. Now, the Eagles think Williams is ready for a bigger role. Williams, though, has always believed in himself. His father has, too, maybe even more than Williams himself. But in order to fulfill his NFL dream, Williams had to put in the work, and lots of that work was done on a hill back in Williams’ hometown.
By his own admission, Bedard isn't a Patriots fan. In case I haven't been clear on this over the past two decades, I am. And I'm a fan of guys who win a ring, make a ton of money in free agency, and then dedicate themselves to earning every penny. Who love to put in the work. Get coached hard. Become leaders by example. And go after that next ring. It would appear that is exactly who Mike Vrabel added to a roster sorely lacking in this type of player.
The more I hear about this guy, the more I like him. That used to be the case with most new guys the Patriots brought to Foxboro. But less so lately. It'll be great to see this feeling become the norm once again.
Belt to ass, indeed. The Summer of Optimism is about to get underway.