Milton Williams signed a $104 million contract to be the Patriots' defensive anchor, and after one season, opposing offenses have gotten the message: he's the guy you have to account for. The fact that his double-team rate has already climbed this season isn't a problem. It's proof the investment is working.
Here's what matters about Williams drawing extra attention. When defenses get schemed around like this, it creates space elsewhere. Eric Gregory and the rest of the defensive tackle rotation benefit. Dre'Mont Jones gets cleaner lanes. The whole front gains leverage because offenses can't give Milton singular focus without sacrificing gap integrity. This is how modern defensive line play actually functions — one elite disruptor elevates everyone around him.
The 59 pressures last season despite missing six games? That's not a fluke number. That's a player who understands leverage, gap discipline, and how to win at the point of attack. Add in 3.0 sacks in the playoffs alone, and you're looking at someone who shows up when the lights are brightest. Mike Vrabel didn't chase Williams with nine figures because he's a nice guy. He did it because Vrabel knows that elite interior pressure is the foundation of everything else on defense.
The Patriots' defense is built around forcing quarterbacks to make mistakes fast. Williams is the engine. Yes, the contract is massive. But four years into a rebuild under Vrabel's new regime, having a centerpiece player that opposing teams must game-plan around from day one — that's not a luxury. That's a necessity.
Williams embracing the extra attention is the right mentality. He's not complaining about being double-teamed. He's accepting the role. That's the mindset that turns expensive signings into actual impact players.