As one of just a handful of players on the Patriots roster who earned a Super Bowl, Milton Williams knows very well what achieving that goal means and just how good it feels.
But he also knows the flip side of that coin. The 27-year-old has been on the wrong side of the ‘Big Game’ twice, losing in ‘23 to the Chiefs and, of course, last year to the Seahawks. He said there is no doubt that the losses are what he remembers more.
“Definitely,” he confirmed after an OTA practice earlier this week. “Because you always just think about the plays that you miss or plays that you could have capitalized on. They just stick with you forever.
“I remember plays from my first couple of years in the league that I could have made, but on a big stage like that, you know, not getting a job done, you just kind of replay those plays in your mind, wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it. But it's just fuel for the next day. Wake up and figure out what we're getting better at today, and when that time comes, be ready.”
Williams was everything the Patriots could have asked for and then some, living up to his big contract in year one. Despite missing five games with a high ankle sprain, Williams was 7th in total pressures from interior defensive linemen with 59. That was one more than teammate Christian Barmore, who played all 21 games (regular season and playoffs). Consider the names in front of him. It’s basically the best of the best: Zach Allen, Kobie Turner, Leonard Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Chris Jones and Byron Murphy. Add a pass-rush win rate of 14.6% (5th best in the league), and it’s clear the Williams gave the Pats the on-field impact they craved.
But it goes beyond that. Despite it being his first season, Williams assumed a leadership role even if that didn’t come with a ‘C’ on his chest. His professionalism throughout the week and his accountability after every game were noteworthy, another reason this appears to be money well spent. His message this spring? “Let’s fight for it again.”
"Man, we was on the doorstep last year," Williams said. "I don't feel like we really need to change up much. Obviously, we had a lot of younger players just getting that experience and learning and growing from the mistakes that we made last year. I feel like everybody can just continue to get better and if we all get better, you know, maybe we'll make that one or two plays that hurt us."
QUESTION ANSWERED (FOR NOW)
We have pondered Mike Onwenu’s future with the Pats at various points this offseason, and certainly, his showing up to OTAs looking like he, um, enjoyed the offseason brought some of those concerns back into focus.
But the team and their starting right guard signaled they would like this relationship to continue in 2026, with the two reworking the final year of his contract. No, there is no extension, but by agreeing to take a pay cut, Onwenu got some healthy guaranteed money in a deal that had none left.
Per initial reports, the 28-year-old vet lowered his base salary to $2.95 million but walked away from the negotiation receiving somewhere near $10 million in guarantees (signing and bonuses). In return, the Pats get $7.5 million in cap savings and now sit over $42 million under the cap (should we hold a parade?).
For all the barbs about his conditioning, Onwenu played 99.1% of all offensive snaps last season and was their best offensive lineman in the second half of the year, and had a case to be a Pro Bowler (a legit one, not like some of the other fugazi stuff).
IF YOU TWO QBS, DO YOU HAVE NONE?
Pretty fascinating contrast of styles in Atlanta, where there will be (is?) a quarterback competition. Michael Penix is the holdover, a 2024 first-round pick who was playing arguably the best game of his young NFL career when he blew out his knee against Carolina in November. He has, to this point in his career, been a risk-taker with the big arm.
In the other corner is former Dolphins franchise signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa, who went from a $50+ million man to being unceremoniously released this offseason. He quickly found a home with the Falcons. His game has relied solely on quick processing and accurate short- to intermediate-range throws, especially as his concussion history has grown.
Now, both southpaws will duke it out once Penix gains full clearance from his third ACL tear since college.
"I'm running my own race," Penix said. "I can't look into another lane. But at the same time, we are working together. That's what it's all about. Working together and working with each other to finish the race."
New head coach Kevin Stefanski has promised the two QBs will split reps, although Penix is not yet at the point where he can do 11-on-11s.
"I feel like myself," Penix said, adding he's been throwing since mid-March. "I feel great. I feel really good right now. I just say, 'As long as nobody falls into my leg right now.'
"I feel like I'm right where I need to be."
Meanwhile, Tagovailoa is trying to become the latest QB to resurrect his career for a different organization (think Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield). In some ways, he has that in common with his head coach, who was fired after a long run in Cleveland, where he was a two-time Coach of the Year.
"There's something to be said when you're fired," Stefanski said. "I can attest to that. You want to prove people wrong. You have a chip on your shoulder. I think where I'm coming into this, where Tua's coming into this is, listen, this is not exactly how you thought it would go, but guess what, that's the reality, and how are we gonna respond? I think that's what he's made of. You look back at his career, you look back at his college career, he's responded."
Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards back in 2023 and completion percentage in 2024. Last year, however, he threw 15 interceptions and was benched in favor of 6th-round rookie Quinn Ewers.
Meanwhile, Penix had a three-to-one TD-to-INT rate (9 scores, 3 picks) and his passer rating was 10 points north of where it was as a rookie.
"I think there's a way to be a great teammate and to push each other and also do it in a way that is best for the football team,” Stefanski said of his QBs. “And I think that's what I witnessed in that room."
It should be noted that Tommy Rees came from Cleveland to be Stefanski’s offensive coordinator and that old friend Alex Van Pelt, who was also with the Browns for a long time, is the QB coach.
HE’S HOLDING OUT?
Yes, Jacoby Brissett - that Jacoby Brissett - is staying away from the Cardinals this spring because, shocker, he wants more money and the two sides are reportedly “not close” on a revised agreement.
“It’s the same as where we were a couple weeks ago,” said first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. “We’ve had contact. I’ll leave it at that.”
The well-traveled Brissett has a contract that pays him $4.88 million, with the chance to add close to another half million in incentives. But of that, only $1.5 million is guaranteed.
After Kyler Murray’s injury, Brissett entered the fray in week six and started the final 12 games of the season. Are you sitting down? From that point, the 33-year-old was the NFL’s top-rated passer on dropbacks, play-action passes, completions, and attempts. Brissett was second in passing yards and fourth in completion percentage above expected. Bananas, right?
The Cards then cut Murray this offseason and later told Brissett he would be the incumbent entering the season. Hence, the veteran wants a big bump to his bottom line, and former Pats front-office exec and now Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort is balking at the number.
Arizona’s mandatory mini-camp is June 8th through the 10th. Gardner Minshew was signed to back up Brissett and has been around for all the voluntary workouts, while the team also drafted Carson Beck in round three.
HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE
Josh Sweat is also staying away from Arizona’s workouts. But in his case, it’s not about the contract. Instead, it’s the direction of the team.
Sweat signed with the Cards two offseasons ago, partly for the money ($76 million over 4 years) but also to be reunited with then Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was Sweat’s DC in Philadelphia. But Gannon got the gate after a 3-14 season, leaving Sweat looking for his own way out.
According to various reports, Arizona has gotten calls about Sweat’s availability. That makes sense, considering he had a career-high 12 sacks, forced four fumbles and added 17 QB hits. Then again, it behooves the Cards to find a way to make it work, considering the rest of the returning defensive linemen had just 5.5. sacks combined.
ALL CHARGED UP
For the second time in his career, Derwin James is the highest-paid safety in football. The Chargers rewarded their 2018 first-round pick with a three-year extension for $75.6 million, $57.5 million of which is guaranteed. He surpasses Kyle Hamilton of the Ravens ($25 mil per season).
A four-time All-Pro (not too shabby), James was set to enter the final season of his previous extension back in 2023, which at the time put him atop the safety salary chart.
After injuries and then a down season in 2023, James thrived the last two years under then-DC Jesse Minter. Minter used him a ton as the nickel and as a pass rusher, and James rewarded him with 7.5 sacks over those two campaigns. With Minter now the head coach in Baltimore, new DC Chris O’Leary has a blueprint for deploying his star defender.
"One of my favorite players I've ever worked with and coached because of how contagious his energy is, how great he wants to be," said O'Leary.
“The best safety I’ve ever seen in the history of the National Football League,” Jim Harbaugh said in September. “I don’t think I’m going out on a limb there. He is one of the most incredible players I’ve ever watched.”
NEWS NUGGETS
- Anybody else think it’s weird that Myles Garrett, who has been seen in Cleveland a number of times this offseason, still hasn’t met his head coach, Todd Monken? Garrett is a superb player and a future Hall of Famer. But he’s been playing by his own rules since college and has seen no reason to change. Disappointing for someone who said he wanted to be more of a leader after signing the last contract. About that, Myles…
- Patrick Mahomes was out there flinging TD passes and skipping off the field after OTAs earlier this week. He is just five months removed from ACL and LCL surgery on his left knee. Mahomes participated in everything but 11-on-11s. Week one appears to be a realistic goal.
“That’s always going to be the goal. I don’t want to miss games. As a competitor - as a football player - I want to be there,” he said. “I know it’s still a long ways away. I can’t predict the future. So all I can do is be great today and then continue to be great tomorrow. But I’ve gotten to where I’ve gotten to because of that mindset.”
- Travis Kelce bought a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians. Must be nice to have that kind of disposable income!
“The opportunity came across the desk and I just couldn’t say no,” he said on his podcast. “These guys gave me the opportunity to show my Cleveland love and plant my roots in Cleveland forever, no matter what. It’s an awesome feeling knowing that a childhood kid who grew up on the east side is now part-owner of his favorite baseball team.”
Mahomes, by the way, has a stake in the Royals.