FOXBOROUGH — Just over an hour into the legal tampering period, it sounded like Milton Williams was going to become a Carolina Panther.

One of the most coveted defenders on the market last March, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Williams was "working to finalize deal" with the Panthers at 1:10 p.m. on the first day to negotiate with free agents.

The Patriots made sure that didn’t happen.

With things approaching the goal line in Carolina, New England upped their offer. By 2:12 p.m., Williams had agreed to sign in Foxborough on a four-year, $104 million deal with $51 million fully guaranteed.

The defensive tackle has gotten off to a strong start with the Patriots, and on Sunday, Williams will take on the Panthers for the first time since turning them down. He said there’s no adde

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