But they paid a lot of defensive players
It's not just paying the players, it's about which to keep and which to let go.
Hightower is a a good re-sign. Gilmore is a bust so far. Should have kept Logan Ryan for less and paid Butler. Also lost Ninko, Long and Jabaal Sheard.
The linebacking corp, outside of Hightower, is atrocious. Bill threw away pick after pick the last few years, and has done an awful replacing defenders through the draft. Chandler Jones left and was never replaced. Jamie Collins left and was never replaced.
Bill spent so much time the last couple years concentrating on building a great offense for Tom that he didn't sufficiently build back from defensive losses. Giving Tom the best weapons he has ever had has backfired tremendously.