Eagles Fans Question Milton Williams’ Departure After Patriots Week 1 Heroics 🚨

There'll be some questions about whether the Philadelphia Eagles should have re-signed some of their key players on the defensive line in the offseason after their 24-20 Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Regret might have crept in just a bit on Sunday.

The New England Patriots took a tough 20-13 season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at home. That didn't stop former Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams from making a strong first impression on the Boston area.

Williams finished the game with four tackles, two quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss. According to Next Gen Stats, he had seven pressures on 30 pass rushes (23.3%) and added two run-stuffs in the game.

Before signing his $104 million contract with New England in the offseason, Williams was a third-round pick of the Eagles in the 2021 NFL Draft. He posted 132 tackles, 29 quarterback hits, 25 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and six pass deflections in 67 career games.

Did the Eagles make a mistake not bringing Williams back?

Williams is a great talent and can do it all on the defensive line. He's not just a one-trick pony, as he can stop the run while adding pressure to the quarterback. Those are traits every tackle needs nowadays, with the quarterback position evolving the way it has.

No matter what, the Eagles couldn't afford to pay $104 million to bring Williams back no matter what. They have too many other priorities they have to focus on to do that.

In the NFL business, it's hard to bring everyone back with how much money is being offered out there. The Eagles have to think about two to three years down the road when guys like Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship.

Philly's biggest strength is the defensive line's depth. That was on display in their Week 1 matchup with Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo stepping up in Carter's absence after his ejection. Davis arguably had the best game of his career, while Ojomo was the only player in the game who got a quarterback hit on Dak Prescott.

All Eagles will wish Williams a future of success with the Patriots (except when they play Philly, of course). Still, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made the right choice in not re-signing him to a monster contract for a player who has never made the Pro Bowl.

Eagles Add 6-foot-3, 263-Pound Edge Rusher With 14 Sacks

There is no position more in flux for the Philadelphia Eagles right now than at edge rusher, where there is no single player the defending Super Bowl champions can point to as a bell cow for getting to the quarterback.

That’s not to say one of the many edge rushers currently on the roster won’t become that kind of player in 2025 — Nolan Smith Jr. or Jalyx Hunt seem likely candidates — but the Eagles aren’t done tinkering.

After second year wide receiver Johnny Wilson was placed on injured reserve for the season on August 22, the Eagles moved quickly to sign 6-foot-3, 263-pound edge rusher Jereme Robinson, who will play in the preseason finale against the New York Jets.

From the Eagles official website: “Robinson was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. He was most recently with the New England Patriots before being released on August 19. Robinson played two snaps on special teams for the Patriots in the Week 2 preseason game against Minnesota. He will wear No. 78 against the Jets. The 25-year-old Robinson suited up in 53 college games for the Jayhawks, registering 98 tackles and 14 sacks.”

Ended College Career With All-Big 12 Honors

Robinson ramped up his production each of his final 4 college seasons, capping things off with 5.5 sacks in 2024 as he earned All-Big 12 honors.

The Montgomery, Alabama, native could fill several roles for the Eagles. He could not only provide depth at edge rusher but also has the size to move inside to one of the defensive end spots — the same spot Milton Williams played at in 2024 and turned into a 4-year, $104 million free agent contract from the Patriots.

‘New Era’ Top 100 Plays

44. Jereme Robinson Forced Fumble + Return (BAY, 2022)

First of all, love this uni combo and hope we see it again. Always will be mad we lost this game, but it always brings a smile to my face seeing a big guy run with the ball. pic.twitter.com/UlYd9243Vz

— TheDiggler (@captaincoit8) July 10, 2025

“(Robinson) fits the bill of a NFL defensive end from a pure looks perspective,” NFL Draft Diamonds analyst William Garner wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Then you watch him line up anywhere on the DLine. He will line up as a 4-tech, 3-tech, and stand up edge depending on the defensive scheme. Overall, he is a NFL build who plays high, has good versatility, functional get off speed, few but effective pass rush techniques, and relentless effort in pursuit. He is a guy that has a shot at the pro-level, especially with more time to develop his low half play strength and technical abilities.”

Eagles Could Make Huge Move at Edge Rusher

One look at Philadelphia’s sacks leaders from 2024 underlines the dire predicament they could be headed for in 2025.

Last year’s sacks leader, Josh Sweat, left for the Arizona Cardinals on a 4-year, $76.4 million free agent contract. Williams (5.0 sacks) is gone and so is veteran and 2-time Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham (4.5 sacks), who retired after the season.

Linebacker Nakobe Dean (3.5 sacks) might not even play in 2025 after he tore his patellar tendon in the playoff opener. Bryce Huff (2.5 sacks) was traded to the San Francisco 49ers after he signed a 3-year, $51 million contract before the 2024 season.

One solution could be a blockbuster trade. If the Eagles are willing to give up their 2026 first round pick, there’s probably a chance they could pull off a trade for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.