The Patriots head into the 2026 offseason with a notably different setup, and not just because the coaching search won’t be led by Robert Kraft this time. Mike Vrabel is back as head coach, a welcome continuity after a painful Super Bowl loss and a season that still impressed in many ways.
That said, Vrabel isn’t ruling out changes to his coaching staff, especially on the defensive side. Terrell Williams was hired as defensive coordinator but was sidelined for the 2025 season due to a cancer diagnosis. He’s now reportedly cancer-free and could rejoin the team this offseason, though Vrabel still has to weigh a big question: should Zak Kuhr stay as play caller if Williams returns?
During Vrabel’s end-of-season press conference, he didn’t exclude the possibility of Kuhr remaining in the play-calling role. He gave a cautious answer: “There will be a lot of things we’ll have to work through there.” The health status of Williams will understandably be a major factor, but the performance of the defense under interim DC Kuhr has created a compelling argument to consider stability at least for now.
Vrabel faces a tough decision, especially since Williams earned the job with his results. The defense was a standout strength for the 2025 Patriots, a fact that was underscored in the Super Bowl, where they contained Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks’ top offensive threat. Kevin Walker III delivered a standout game, while Sam Darnold struggled to generate meaningful offense, and when he did attempt a breakthrough, Christian Gonzalez and Jaylinn Hawkins closed the door.
The unit’s line play also shined, with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams emerging as one of the league’s premier tackle duos, consistently applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Beyond the stars, budding contributors like Cory Durden, Elijah Ponder, and Leonard Taylor III began to show their potential. The defensive squad carried much of the team’s momentum through the year, which strengthens the case for Vrabel to prioritize continuity with Kuhr as defensive coordinator, even if Williams returns in some capacity.
Of course, Williams’s immediate future remains uncertain given the seriousness of his illness, so there’s ample time to navigate the decision. A worst-case scenario would be Kuhr remaining on staff as linebackers coach and still playing a meaningful defensive leadership role in the fall.
Update: Terrell Williams is moving into a front-office role. The Patriots have opened the defensive coordinator job to interviews, and Zak Kuhr is currently the leading candidate. However, the team will follow standard NFL hiring procedures before filling the vacancy.
Would you favor Vrabel preserving Kuhr as the DC to preserve defensive consistency, or is it time for a fresh perspective at the helm? Share your thoughts in the comments.
