It was trending toward disappointment.
The Patriots watched offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley re-sign with the Ravens before the legal tampering window opened Monday. Strike one. New England learned 10 minutes into the unofficial start of free agency that Chris Godwin would remain with the Buccaneers, despite the Patriots reportedly offering him more. Strike two.
Two of the franchise’s top targets were off the board when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Milton Williams, another top target for New England, was finalizing a deal with the Carolina Panthers. Strike three.
… Right? Not so fast.
New England came over the top and reached an agreement with Williams, as reported by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo about an hour after Schefter’s initial report.
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Schefter followed up and stated it is a four-year, $104 million deal with $63 million guaranteed. Williams’ AAV ranks third behind defensive tackles Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins and the total guarantees rank fifth at the position.
Mike Vrabel said the Patriots would be “aggressive” in free agency. Stealing Williams from Carolina and offering him that contract certainly qualifies as such. Williams is now the highest paid player in franchise history, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
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It’s no longer trending toward disappointment. Hitting .333 isn’t too bad this time of year, after all.
Williams is the biggest fish the Patriots have reeled in in years. He’ll serve as the team’s best offseason signing though Vrabel and company were assertive with other moves, as well.
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The Patriots signed cornerback Carlton Davis to a three-year, $60 million deal. Davis is now one of six cornerbacks who has an AAV exceeding $20 million and ranks inside the top 10 in fully guaranteed money. The reported signings of Harold Landry III ($14.5 million AAV), Robert Spillane ($12.3 million AAV) and offensive tackle Morgan Moses ($8 million AAV) also addressed needs with respectable money.
The fact the Patriots put on a “full-court press” before losing out on Godwin should count for something.
But it’s the pursuit and contract offer to Williams which will give Vrabel and company a leg to stand on this offseason. The Patriots followed through on aggressiveness and spent big.
Featured image via Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
