New England Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams has implemented a strict financial penalty system to address the team’s recurring discipline issues.
According to reports from Yahoo Sports, the veteran player is fining teammates $1,000 for every offside or encroachment penalty committed during games.
The move follows a challenging stretch where the Patriots were flagged seven times for offsides over two weeks.
This trend occurred during recent matchups against the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins, as noted by NESN.
Williams, who previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles, aims to foster greater accountability on the defensive line.
He noted that he was responsible for some of those same infractions earlier in the season.
“It is his way of holding himself accountable along with everyone else,” the Patriots news coverage reported.
Williams expressed confidence that the financial consequences will sharpen the focus of his teammates.
“He believes players pay a little extra attention when losing money is a possibility,” according to the team news portal.
The Patriots have struggled with discipline throughout the 2026 season, accumulating 75 total penalties thus far.
While offensive linemen have frequently been cited for holding or false starts, the defensive unit’s neutral zone infractions have become a significant point of concern.
The team has committed at least five penalties in every game this year, with two instances reaching double digits.
By instituting these fines, Williams hopes to instill better habits for the remainder of the schedule.
As the highest-paid player on the roster, Williams is leveraging his status to exert leadership within the locker room.
His efforts reflect a broader organizational attempt to minimize mistakes and improve performance in a competitive division.
The team continues to monitor its penalty count as it moves into the second half of the season.