As the Philadelphia Eagles defense throttled the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February, the thrill of winning another world title also came with the understanding that not everyone was going to be back in 2025.
There were just too many talented players and not enough money to go around. Chalk it up to the game.
One of those playes who ascended, dominated and got super duper paid in free agency was interior defensive lineman Milton Williams, who landed a 4-year, $104 million contract with the New England Patriots.
Waiting in the wings to take up the slack for Williams was defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, who NFL.com’s Kevin Patra put on his list of 10 NFL players who are quietly having Pro Bowl seasons.
That’s quite the compliment considering he’s playing alongside of former first round picks and 2 of the NFL’s elite defensive linemen in Jordan Davis and NFL All-Pro Jalen Carter.
“Helping fill the hole left by Milton Williams, Ojomo has been a revelation,” Patra wrote on Wednesday, November 19. “Pro Football Focus charted the third-year pro with 35 QB pressures, tied for the third-most among interior defenders through Week 11. He’s tied with Williams, coincidentally, and Chris Jones. The 6-3, 292-pound defensive tackle pushes the pocket, netting four sacks in 10 games after putting up a goose egg in his first two seasons … Ojomo is the latest example of the Eagles filling a gap with the next man up and watching him soar.”
Ojomo Could Be Next in Line for Huge Payday
Williams’ contract with the Patriots far exceeded his projected market value — he was expected to sign a deal worth between $17 million to $18 million per year He ended up with $26 million per year .
Ojomo isn’t in exactly the same situation as Williams, but could still be setting himself up for a big payday after next season after he finishes the 4-year, $3.91 million contract he signed after the Eagles selected him in the seventh round (No. 249 overall) out of Texas in the 2023 NFL draft.
“In his rookie season in 2023, Ojomo played in just eight games but showed a ton of improvement in 2024,” NBC 10 Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro wrote on March 11. “He played in all 17 games (1 start) and played 388 snaps. Ojomo had 20 tackles and 5 quarterback hits in the regular season. In the playoffs, Ojomo had his first-career sack (in the fourth quarter against the Rams ) and also had 2 tackles for loss. During the regular season, Ojomo had 23 pressures on 252 pass rush reps (9.1%) and was even better in the playoffs with 7 pressures on 64 pass rush reps (10.9%).”
Odd Start to Ojomo’s College Career
One incredible thing to consider about Ojomo is that when he does finally play out his rookie deal he will only be 25 years old and have 4 years of NFL experience under his belt.
Because Ojomo started his education when he was in his native Nigeria and didn’t come to the United States until he was 8 years old, he found himself ahead of where the American education system would traditionally have someone his age.
That meant Ojomo was 2 years younger than most of his classmates but went on to star at Katy (Texas) High School before enrolling at the University of Texas at just 16 years old.
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