Eagles officially set to lose star defender Milton Williams to NFL free agency sleeper team

It was reported just an hour earlier that Williams would be headed to the Carolina Panthers, but the Patriots, who have been quiet in free agency rumors, must have come up with a better offer. 

That being said, we have to keep in mind that deals do not become official until 4 pm ET on Wednesday, March 12. 

As I had previously noted in my predictions piece, it automatically became a lot tougher for the Eagles to keep Williams after the Dallas Cowboys signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal last week. 

It's unfortunate because Williams appears to be just getting started after a season full of career highs in sacks (5) and QB pressures (40). He also logged two additional sacks in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Williams will certainly be missed in Philly, but I don't doubt that Roseman and the Eagles will find a quality and affordable replacement in free agency or the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. 

The Eagles initially drafted Williams out of Louisiana Tech in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Over four seasons with the Birds, he racked up 113 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 11.5 tackles for loss.

Williams will join cornerback Carlton Davis III, linebacker Robert Spillane, and linebacker Harold Landry as other defensive signings the Patriots have made in freea agency so far.