Patriots Open Up Defensive Coordinator Position

On Thursday, the New England Patriots moved defensive coordinator Terrell Williams into a high-ranking role on the staff according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.

Williams has been dealing with cancer all season and is thankfully in remission. While he would sit in on meetings and help with the defensive gameplan, play-calling fell to ILB coach Zak Kuhr. In Kuhr's first season in this role he led a defensive unit with Milton Williams and Christian Gonzalez. They showed their muscle in the playoffs, making life difficult for all the AFC QB's that they faced along with a solid showing in Superbowl LX against he Seattle Seahawks.

The Patriots will need to interview candidates.

New England will need to satisfy the Rooney rule since this is a coordinator position, however current play caller Zak Kuhr is the favorite given the work he did this season. Another name who will be floated is Jim Schwartz, the former defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns who has experience working with Mike Vrabel from his days in Tennessee with the Titans.

Holding onto Kuhr would allow consistency for the Patriots defense and potential for an even better defense next season.