The new regime leading the Patriots went into the 2025 offseason loaded with cap space to spend, and plenty of improvements needed to be made to the roster. Mike Vrabel took no time to dive into that assignment by making some big-time moves in free agency, with perhaps the biggest signing of all being defensive tackle Milton Williams.
He was the most desirable defender to hit the free agent market, with several teams vying to get him to sign on the dotted line, but the Patriots outbid them all, including the Panthers, who had a deal almost set in place.