Report: Kevin Williams Turned Down More Money From Patriots In Order To Sign With Seahawks
BOSTON (CBS) -- When the Patriots were winning Super Bowls, it was not uncommon to see veteran free agents take less money in order to play for Bill Belichick and contend for Super Bowls. Now that the Seahawks are defending champions, the Patriots are learning what life on the other side of that equation is like.
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams signed with the Seahawks over the weekend, and ESPN's Ben Goessling reported that Williams had actually turned down an offer from the Pats that could have paid him more money.
Williams told Goessling that the Seahawks "had a few more pieces in place for me" than the Patriots did.
ESPN's Mike Reiss commented on the news, saying "It might reflect some internal concern with 11-year veteran Tommy Kelly (coming back from a torn ACL) and first-year player Armond Armstead (missed 2013 season due to an infection and hasn't been practicing the past two weeks). Also, first-round draft choice Dominique Easley is coming off a torn ACL, and stalwart veteran Vince Wilfork is coming back from a ruptured Achilles.
"The Patriots sometimes lure players to town for less money because of the appeal of playing with Tom Brady in a winning program, but this was a case where it went the other way, even with Williams' former defensive line coach Brendan Daly now in New England," Reiss added. "The Seahawks sit atop the NFL's mountaintop right now."
Williams, 33, spent his first 11 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, playing in 171 of a possible 176 games. He made 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception last season.
The Patriots invited Williams in for a visit last week.
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