Milton Williams is leaving the Philadelphia Eagles in NFL free agency to sign a contract with the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports.
This development is unfortunate for the Birds but it is not unexpected. We recently wrote the following about Williams’ outlook:
If the salary cap didn’t exist, the Eagles keeping Williams would be a no-brainer. He’s an ascending defensive lineman who only turns 26 in April. He’s extremely athletic. He’s only missed one game in his entire career. Williams deserves to get paid ... and he likely will. But given that the Eagles have limited resources to work with, I just don’t think spending them on Williams is the right play for them. With reports that Osa Odighizuwa, who is in a similar position to Williams, could make over $21 million per year ... Williams is about to get PAID. Again, I believe Williams has earned his money. But this is a guy who had half of a sack in 2023. He played better than that number would suggest, to be clear. But Williams isn’t a player the Eagles MUST keep. Especially when 1) there are other defensive tackles who can excel playing next to Carter, 2) the Eagles have a potential in-house replacement for Williams in Moro Ojomo, and 3) the 2025 NFL Draft is loaded with DT talent. It’s unfortunate the Eagles can’t keep Williams but letting him walk is the right call for them. His departure will help the Birds when it comes to acquiring compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Eagles originally selected Williams (much to the chagrin of one former team executive at the time) with a third-round pick (No. 73 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. In four seasons with Philadelphia, he made 19 starts in 67 games played. He logged 11.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss during that span.
It’ll be interesting to monitor how Williams, who never played more than 48% of Philly’s defensive snaps in a given season, fares with his new team.
Eagles fans will always be able to appreciate Williams’ contributions to the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory success.