Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has built a reputation for his sharp decision-making, particularly when it comes to walking away from deals that don’t align with the team’s long-term vision. This offseason, the Eagles underwent a significant roster overhaul, parting ways with key players like Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Mekhi Becton. While some left via trades or retirement, others, including Williams, signed lucrative contracts elsewhere that the Eagles wisely chose not to match. One such deal—Williams’ massive contract with the New England Patriots—stands out as a financial misstep Roseman expertly avoided.
Milton Williams’ Contract: A Cautionary Tale
According to NFL Spin Zone writer Lou Scataglia, Williams’ contract with the Patriots is one of the NFL’s worst. The defensive tackle, who signed a four-year, $104 million deal averaging $26 million annually, appears to have benefited from recency bias after a strong playoff performance with the Eagles. In the 2024 regular season, Williams recorded five sacks, 24 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hits across 17 games. While these numbers are respectable, they don’t justify the astronomical price tag.
Pro Football Focus graded Williams with a 70.1 overall score, ranking him 31st out of 219 tackles in the NFL. This solid but unspectacular performance suggests the Patriots overpaid for a player whose production doesn’t match his paycheck. As Scataglia noted, the deal feels like a case of a team spending big simply because they had the cap space to do so. For Roseman, letting Williams walk was a calculated move that preserved the Eagles’ financial flexibility.
Prioritizing Youth and Potential
The Eagles’ decision to pass on Williams was rooted in their confidence in their current defensive line and their commitment to developing younger talent. Philadelphia already has two elite defensive tackles in Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, both of whom rank among the NFL’s top 15 at their position and are poised for even greater growth. These rising stars will soon command significant contracts of their own, making it impractical to allocate $26 million a year to a player like Williams, whose ceiling appears lower.
Additionally, the Eagles have depth players ready to step up. Moro Ojomo has shown flashes of starting potential and is considered a breakout candidate by many analysts. Fifth-round draft pick Ty Robinson also possesses the physical tools to become a valuable rotational player. Roseman’s track record in the NFL Draft gives the Eagles confidence in their ability to find and develop talent, further reducing the need to overpay for veterans like Williams.
Roseman’s Philosophy: Draft, Develop, Win
The Eagles’ approach under Roseman has always favored building through the draft over splurging in free agency. By investing in young, cost-controlled players, Philadelphia maintains the flexibility to address multiple roster needs while keeping their cap situation healthy. Williams, while a valuable contributor during his time with the Eagles, didn’t fit into this long-term strategy. His departure allowed the team to focus on nurturing their emerging stars and maintaining depth through savvy draft picks.
This philosophy has served the Eagles well, as evidenced by their continued competitiveness despite significant roster turnover. Roseman’s ability to identify when to walk away from a deal—particularly one as bloated as Williams’—demonstrates his foresight and commitment to building a sustainable contender.
A Smart Snub in Hindsight
Milton Williams’ $104 million contract with the Patriots may haunt New England for years to come, but for the Eagles, it’s a bullet dodged. By prioritizing Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Ty Robinson, Philadelphia has positioned itself to maintain a dominant defensive line without breaking the bank. Roseman’s decision to let Williams walk wasn’t just a financial win—it was a masterstroke that reaffirmed the Eagles’ commitment to their draft-and-develop model.
As the team moves forward, fans can take comfort in knowing that Roseman’s keen eye for value and talent will keep Philadelphia in contention. While Williams’ contributions to the Eagles will always be appreciated, the team is undoubtedly better off with the roster they have now.