-- The New England Patriots are opening their defensive coordinator position by moving Terrell Williams, who missed the 2025 season after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, to a high-ranking role on coach Mike Vrabel's staff, a source confirmed. Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr served as the defensive playcaller in Williams' absence this past season and thus is a leading candidate for the role. When Vrabel was hired as Patriots head coach in January 2025, he targeted Williams for the job, citing his knack for making meaningful connections with players as especially valuable. Williams had previously served as defensive line coach on Vrabel's staff with the Tennessee Titans. That once again thrust Kuhr, 37, into the playcalling role, and the defense ultimately became the backbone of the Patriots' run to Super Bowl LX.