That will bring massive expectations for the standout defensive tackle, who signed a four-year, $104 million pact with the Patriots after winning the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, to perform to the highest level, even during a conditioning drill in the first week of the team’s offseason program.
Williams relayed a story to reporters Tuesday about how Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel got on him about not having a strong finish to a run. Players were expected to run from the goal line to a certain point on the field and back in a predetermined time set by Vrabel.
Williams was having no problem making it in time, but cruised at the end. Vrabel noticed and didn’t hold back from calling out Williams.
“He let me know, like, ‘Hey, if you’re going to be here, you need to set the standard,’” Williams told reporters, per The Boston Globe’s Nicole Yang. “He’s like, ‘Don’t let them catch you. If you can make it faster, make it.’ I’m like, ‘All right,’ so every rep since then I’m trying to make sure I’m the first one back.
Story continues below advertisement
“I feel like that’s going to help me, just push me to get where I want to be. And the guys that are running with me, that’s going to push them to run even harder.”
Williams didn’t take issue with being challenged by Vrabel in that manner, helping further set the tone for these new-look Patriots.
“It just gives you more energy to do what you got to do and put it all on the line for him,” Williams said. “I don’t think I’m bigger than the next person. I don’t mind getting called out.”
Williams started all 17 games for the Eagles a season ago and was a defensive difference-maker despite playing just 48% of the team’s defensive snap in a vaunted unit. Williams totaled seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and five sacks in his fourth NFL season.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s expected Williams will play a much larger role in the Patriots defense this upcoming season and he’s eager to show he’s someone the team can rely on no matter the situation.
“You can trust me to do my job, whatever they need me to do,” Williams said. “I’m not really a rah-rah guy. Just whatever they ask us to do, do it. Just lead by example. Hopefully, the guys see me working and they’ll want to follow suit. Just try to bring everybody along to what we’re trying to build here.”
