Free agent Cardinals targeted got 1 of 5 worst contracts of offseason
The Arizona Cardinals wanted to land former Philadelphia Eagles and now New England Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams. The Cardinals were one of the teams in the mix vying to sign him. The Cardinals lost out and Williams got a four-year, $104 million contract. The $26 million per year was the highest contract average given out to an unrestricted free agent.
While he was a player the Cardinals wanted, according to Pro Football Network, it was one of the five worst contracts given out so far.
Williams will be only 26 years old this season, and players do improve as they develop. But the Patriots aren’t just betting that his 14.2% pressure rate over 282 pass-rush snaps is real — they’re also betting that he can maintain that efficiency while playing significantly more snaps.
There are cases where small sample-size success translates to bigger roles. Trey Hendrickson, for example, never played more than 53% of the defensive snaps with the Saints but posted a career-high 14.4% pressure rate in 2020. Since then, he’s sustained or exceeded that rate in each of his four seasons with Cincinnati while handling a larger workload.
Williams could follow a similar trajectory and develop into the elite pass rusher New England is paying him to be. However, history suggests that banking on limited sample sizes in free agency is often risky. If Williams doesn’t maintain his 2024 production, his contract could become another cautionary tale.
Williams would have been a nice addition to the Cardinals. However, paying a guy $26 million per year when he has never had more than five sacks and never played more than half of his team's defensive snaps feels like a bust of a contract ready to happen.
The Cardinals ended up landing 31-year-old defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who has had 11 more quarterback hits in the last three seasons than Williams has had in his four-year career, and only had to give him a two-year, $29 million deal.
The Cardinals got two pass rushers — Josh Sweat and Baron Browning — for an average of a little more than $26 million per season. Browning has as many sacks (11.5) in his four-year career as Williams, and Sweat had eight last season.
Cardinals fans should be glad they didn't land Williams at that price.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Milton Williams contract named among worst of NFL free agency
-
Arizona Cardinals DL L.J. Collier contract details, cap hit
Howard Balzer breaks down the numbers of newly DL L.J. Collier's deal to return to the Cardinals.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Agent's Take: 10 contract-related thoughts, observations from 2025 NFL free agency and early part of offseason
Ten thoughts and observations relating to the early part of the offseasonCBS Sports - 9h -
Cardinals hand out first major-league contract of the winter after Tony Clark says MLBPA is paying 'attention'
The Cardinals waited until two weeks before Opening Day to sign a major-league deal this offseasonCBS Sports - 4d -
Ex-Eagles star Sweat to Cards on $76.4M deal
After losing out on former Eagles lineman Milton Williams, the Cardinals made their first splash of free agency by agreeing to a four-year contract with another former Eagle, pass rusher Josh ...ESPN - Mar. 10 -
Saints' Justin Reid contract named one of NFL's worst free agency signings
This B/R writer thinks the Saints signing Justin Reid is a bad idea because he'll be washed up by the time New Orleans is ready to compete.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Poona Ford and Alaric Jackson contracts among 'biggest bargains' of free agency
A few of the Rams' biggest contracts this offseason were seen as good investments.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Arizona Cardinals LB Mykal Walker salary, contract details, cap hit
Howard Balzer breaks down all the details of the contract of new Cardinals LB Mykal Walker.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
2025 NFL offseason: Key dates and Ravens contract options that'll free up millions in cap space
Key dates and contract options that could free up millions in cap space for the Baltimore Ravens after the first wave of 2025 NFL free agencyYahoo Sports - 14h -
2025 NFL offseason: Key dates and Eagles contract options that'll free up millions in cap space
Key dates and contract options that could free up millions in cap space for the Philadelphia Eagles after the first wave of 2025 NFL free agencyYahoo Sports - 14h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Let the fun begin: Make your picks for the women's tournament
Compete with friends and family to show off your skills by creating or joining a group now!ESPN - 22m -
The women’s March Madness bracket is here -- so is your guide to all 68 teams
We look at every team in the women's NCAA bracket.ESPN - 22m -
Why Geovany Quenda can be Chelsea's answer to Saka
Chelsea look set to land the Sporting CP teen in 2026 and Quenda's style has been compared to an Arsenal star.ESPN - 29m -
Transfer rumors, news: Man United scouting Sesko, Ekitike
Will Benjamin Sesko or Hugo Ekitike be able to solve Manchester United's goal-scoring issues? Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 29m -
Transfer rumors, news: Man United scouting Sesko, Ekitike
Will Benjamin Sesko or Hugo Ekitike be able to solve Manchester United's goal-scoring issues? Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 29m