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Big-time free agent admits he was ready to sign with Panthers

The biggest free agent of the 2025 offseason has now confirmed that the Carolina Panthers were very, very close to reeling him in.

Defensive lineman Milton Williams, who landed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New England Patriots a little over a week ago, joined Friday's episode of The Insiders on NFL Network. He was asked about his experience during the negotiation process, a hotly-contested competition that the Panthers nearly won.

"My agent was on the phone, and I was kind of in the room," Williams said, via Kevin Patra of NFL.