The <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/category/nfl/news/">Panthers</a> thought they landed one of the best available defensive players on the market. Former <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/category/nfl/news/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> defensive tackle <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/milton-williams-89805/">Milton Williams</a> was reportedly finalizing a deal to join Carolina, <a href="https://www.threads.net/@adamschefter/post/DHBsZ1-u0f6?xmt=AQGz6ZncoaAE1rfUXbPaFb5UbqG5VeqMyym0Ljl6YjPlbw">according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter via Threads</a>, but the deal has fallen through.



Instead, the defensive tackle will be signing with the New England Patriots, <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1899160829863571847">NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posed on X</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1899161658431287299">Schefter later confirmed</a>. The deal will pay Williams $26 million per season, as he heads to the AFC East.<a href="https://www.threads.net/@adamschefter/post/DHBsZ1-u0f6/media"></a>



Williams was drafted by the Eagles out of <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/louisiana-tech-bulldogs/">Louisiana Tech</a> in 2021. He was selected in the third round, pick No. 71 overall. At the start of his career, he learned from players like <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/fletcher-cox-43846/">Fletcher Cox</a> and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/javon-hargrave-58140/">Javon Hargrave</a>. Then, he developed into a more than solid piece for a Super Bowl-winning defense. 



His seminal came in this past season’s Super Bowl against the <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/category/nfl/news/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>. Williams amassed two sacks and forced and recovered a fumble while terrorizing <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/patrick-mahomes-ii-95458/">Patrick Mahomes</a>. That certainly helped as he hit free agency, while the Eagles will move forward with players like <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jalen-carter-54194/">Jalen Carter</a> leading their defense. 



Time will tell if Milton Williams can keep up his impressive play with the Patriots, but there’s plenty of reason to be excited about the 25-year old’s future in New England. The Eagles were certainly satisfied with his services, and now he’ll continue his NFL journey with the Patriots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-the-carolina-panthers-nfl-free-agency">More on the Carolina Panthers, NFL Free Agency </h2>



While they didn’t land Milton Williams, the Panthers agreed to pay a different defensive star on Monday. <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaycee-horn-142734/">Jaycee Horn</a>, who’s coming off his best season in his fourth year with the franchise, will now be compensated at a historic, market-changing number in <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/category/nfl/news/">the NFL</a>.



<a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1899106001673920831">Per</a> Ian Rapoport, Carolina has signed Horn to a four-year deal worth a total of $100 million with $70 million of that guaranteed. The contract has a maximum value of up to $108 million. With that, Horn is now the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. He and <a href="https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-extend-cornerback-jaycee-horn-free-agent">the Panthers</a> both announced the news as Horn took to Twitter this morning to share his gratitude for the extension.



The $25 million per year is highest now among defensive backs in the NFL. This contract also puts Horn just behind Denzel Ward in total value but ahead of a collection that consists of names like <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/marshon-lattimore-84405/">Marshon Lattimore</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/marlon-humphrey-136717/">Marlon Humphrey</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/trevon-diggs-115573/">Trevon Diggs</a>, and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/patrick-surtain-ii-95583/">Patrick Surtain II</a>.



Horn has appeared in 37 starts the past four seasons in Charlotte. In that time, he has posted 153 tackles, 26 deflections, and five interceptions plus a pair of sacks.



— On3’s Sam Gillenwater <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/news/jaycee-horn-becomes-highest-paid-db-in-nfl-history-with-carolina-panthers-contract-extension/">contributed</a> to this article.

Milton Williams

5GOATs

Report: Carolina Panthers finalizing deal with DT Milton Williams

team image

Pro News

NFL News

NFL Draft News

NASCAR

NBA News

NBA Draft News

Culture

Sports Betting

About

Football

Basketball

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Alabama

Arizona State

Arizona

Arkansas

Auburn

Baylor

Boston College

California

Removed

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

Missouri

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Ohio State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

The Main Board

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas

Texas Tech

UCLA

Utah

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

Inside Texas

IT Members Only

DawgsHQ

Dawg Walk

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

The Corner

WeAreSC

GarryP's Trojan Huddle

The Wolverine

The Fort

The Lions Den

The Wolfpacker

The Wolves’ Den

GatorsOnline

Swamp Talk

Alabama A&M

Alabama State

Albany

Alcorn State

Abilene Christian

Appalachian State

Akron

Army

Austin Peay

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Arkansas-Little Rock

Arkansas State

Air Force

Ball State

American

Wofford

Winthrop

Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wisconsin-Green Bay

Wichita State

Western Carolina

Volleyball

Gymnastics

Men's Lacrosse

Women's Lacrosse

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Women's Track

Men's Golf

Women's Golf

Men's Hockey

Women's Hockey

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Wrestling

Men's Tennis

Women's Tennis

Annual $1

Annual Premium

Annual $1 

Monthly

Annual

Unlimited Access to This and All Articles.

Article (On3 Plus Rivals)

Forum (On3 Plus Rivals)

Intro

Join

College scoop, experts, and community - all in one.

Winback

Judge's status takes turn

Charles Bediako case

10 teams that won the portal

Transfer Portal Winners

Way-Too-Early CFB prediction

2026 All-America Team

QB makes transfer committment

Darian Mensah

Full 2026 schedule release

Big Ten Football