Just one year after his arrival, Terrell Williams’ tenure as the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator is over. However, the move reported Thursday wasn’t due to performance, but to circumstances: Williams has missed significant time in 2025 due to health reasons, and inside linebackers coach Zach Kuhl deserves credit for his job as a backup playmaker.
As a result, Mike Vrabel was forced to take action, and the Patriots will now move forward with Williams in a so-called “senior role.” But what does this mean for the team? Let’s look at this move as a whole.
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familiar arrangement
The 2025 season will actually be Williams’ first as a defensive coordinator at any level of the sport, despite nearly three decades of assistant coaching experience. That said, he’s no stranger to a job that fits the “senior” label he mentioned in initial reports of his changing role.
Back in 2023, Mike Vrabel’s final year as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Williams added the title of assistant head coach while serving as defensive line coach. While he won’t be returning to the position staff, there’s a good chance he’ll be Vrabel’s assistant HC — especially after he already has a consultant-type role for the Patriots when he becomes available in 2025.
It would have been a natural progression given the circumstances, and the arrangement was unfamiliar to both Williams and Vrabel.
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Zach Kuhl, who’s next?
With Williams resigning as defensive coordinator, the aforementioned Zach Kuhl is expected to be promoted, officially taking over the position he unofficially held during the Patriots’ 2025 Super Bowl season. That said, NFL rules don’t allow this move to be that simple.
After all, New England still has to meet the Rooney Rule before naming a new DC. This means the club will have to interview at least one external minority or female candidate for the position.
Additionally, while Kuhl appears to have been promoted, the Patriots may want to see what else is on the coaching market. Two names stand out in this regard: Sean Bowen, a longtime collaborator of former Titans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, and Browns linebacker Jim Schwartz, who recently resigned. Kuhl remains the favorite, but there are plenty of other notable coaches out there right now.
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trickle-down effect
At the end of the day, any outcome short of Zach Kuhl being named defensive coordinator would be surprising. The question then becomes, who will succeed him as inside linebackers coach.
The Patriots will likely consider the upcoming opening as part of the search they must conduct to officially fill Williams’ spot on the coaching staff. They could also promote internally, and defensive assistant Vinny DePalma appears to be the top candidate to take over if Kuhl does move up.