Milton Williams #97 of the New England Patriots
The Carolina Panthers had a successful season this year. After not making the playoffs for nearly a decade, the team won the NFC South and pushed the Los Angeles Rams to the brink in the first round. However, one player that the team just missed out on could have led to an even more successful year.
Milton Williams was one of the most coveted free agents in the NFL this past offseason. Williams was coming off a breakout contract year with the Philadelphia Eagles. He cemented his status as one of the more dominant defensive linemen in the NFL with a spectacular performance for the Eagles in the Super Bowl. In that game, Williams had two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on the way to winning his first ring.
During his free-agent negotiations, Williams came down to a few teams in contention, and the Panthers were one of them. Williams ultimately signed with the New England Patriots on a massive $100 million deal, but Williams was almost a Panther.
Down to the Wire
Entering free agency, Milton Williams really didn’t know which team he would ultimately end up on. He ended up going to the team that offered him by far the most money, but before that was the case, he had something more sentimental in mind.
During the Super Bowl opening night media availability, Williams was asked a slew of questions, with one of them being how close Williams came to signing with the Panthers. CBS Sports reporter Tyler Sullivan had Williams’ response on Twitter.
“Milton Williams on free agency: Said the Patriots really showed him the love, but there was admittedly a moment he thought he’d be a Carolina Panther. Said he even was looking up little league pictures (his team was called the Panthers).”
What seemed like destiny wasn’t ultimately meant to be for the Panthers, and it looks like Williams has made the right decision. For the third time in four seasons and back-to-back years, Williams is in the Super Bowl, and he’s played a major role in reviving the Patriots’ defense. Williams had 3.5 sacks and 53 pressures this year while missing some time to end the season, but he has been a force in the playoffs. The Patriots are grateful to have Williams on their side.
New England Wanted Williams More
While the prospect of pairing Derrick Brown up with Milton Williams sounds like what dreams are made of, the Patriots were always in hot pursuit of Williams, and he felt that way as well.
In his February 3 article, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports wrote that Williams felt the Patriots showed more interest in him than the Panthers.
“New England showed me that they wanted me more. They believed in me more,” Williams said. “They believed in who I am and what I bring to the table; they showed that. Talking to coach Vrabel, his plan for me. This organization, winning, knowing what winning looks like, being there, done that multiple times, I wanted to be a part of that.”
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was a big fan of Williams, dating back to his time as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, and one of his first moves as the Patriots coach was bringing Williams to New England.
Now, on Sunday, Williams will have the opportunity to repeat as a Super Bowl champion.
Chad Gelfand Chad Gelfand is a journalist covering the NFL with focus on the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers for Heavy.com. Gelfand has over six years of writing experience.
Gelfand previously covered the Philadelphia Eagles for Last Word On Sports. He also has experience writing in the worlds of entertainment and wrestling.
Gelfand was an Entertainment writer for the List.com, and a contributor for Fansided’s wrestling website Daily DDT and The Wrestling Estate. Gelfand has also appeared multiple times as a guest on POST Wrestling’s “Bushby and Thompson’s Wrestling Adventure” podcast. More about Chad Gelfand
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