One of the newest members of the New England Patriots was seen taking it easy before finishing a sprint—and got chewed out by head coach Mike Vrabel. Milton Williams, the former Philadelphia Eagle, may be having a tougher time finding his footing with his new club than he originally imagined.
Former Third-Round Pick Embraces Criticism From New Coach
During a non-mandatory offseason workout, the $104 million man took part in sprints with other teammates. As the 6-foot-3 defensive end neared the finish line, he appeared to slow down, prompting Vrabel to shout, “Don’t let them catch you.”
Williams spoke with Conor Ryan, describing how Vrabel’s intensity and accountability should benefit him and his teammates.
“He wants me to go fast and empty the tank every rep,” Williams said. “I like that. I don’t think I’m bigger than the next person. I don’t mind him calling me out. Calling me out is going to help the other guys. We have no excuses.”
Despite being the highest-paid player in Patriots history, Williams isn’t acting above the rest. The Louisiana Tech product knows the role he must fill in New England—and embraces it.
Williams’ Leadership Role Comes From Four Competitive Seasons in Philadelphia
A 2021 third-round draft pick, Williams spent all four of his NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Appearing in two of the last three Super Bowls and winning one significantly boosted his value. Playing alongside stars like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis helped build his confidence and on-field savvy.
In 2024, the Eagles and Patriots held a joint practice that turned out to be lopsided. Williams, speaking on “Patriots Unfiltered,” described just how dominant the Eagles’ defensive line was.
#Patriots DT Milton Williams on the #Eagles dominating joint practice last offseason:
“I don’t like to just gloat or nothin’, but I was goin’ crazy.”
“Once my agent told me [New England] was interested — I’m like, ‘They probably got that tape.’”
(🎥 Patriots Unfiltered) pic.twitter.com/XJq3vY2673
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats)
“I don’t like to gloat or nothin’, but I was goin’ crazy,” said Williams. “We was getting after it for sure. Once my agent told me that they were interested [New England]—I’m like, ‘They probably got that tape.'”
In the Eagles’ 2025 Super Bowl win, Williams delivered a standout performance. He recorded four total tackles (three solo), two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His Super Bowl eruption capped a career year in sacks for the four-year veteran.
Now entering a new chapter with a new team, Williams will have to prove he can be the cornerstone of a defense. Based on his early interactions with Vrabel, it’s clear expectations are high—for both player and coach. If he can live up to the hype, Williams has the potential to establish himself as a top defensive player in the league.