A new defensive coordinator has been named for the New England Patriots, but it’s safe to say that much will remain the same following the team’s Super Bowl appearance.
The Patriots are hiring tight ends coach Zak Kuhr to the team’s defensive leadership, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday.
Terrell Williams, who was recently reassigned to a different role on the New England staff, was the 2025 DC but missed much of the season while battling prostate cancer. Kuhr called the defense after Week 1 and through the team’s Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
After reporting that Williams was taking on another role, Rapoport said Kuhr was a “very, very, very” strong candidate to land the DC role, so it was a highly anticipated move.
With Kuhr at the helm, the Patriots defense improved on the year, finishing the regular season ranked fourth in points allowed and eighth in yards. The Patriots’ defense was particularly impressive in the playoffs, allowing an average of 8.6 points per game in their three AFC victories. In New England’s 29-13 setback to the Seahawks, the Patriots allowed just 335 yards and one touchdown.
The 37-year-old Kuhr’s NFL experience has mostly come under coach Mike Vrabel’s umbrella, starting as the quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2020, then as a linebacker assistant for the next three seasons. He spent a season as a defensive end for the New York Giants in 2024 before rejoining Vrabel with the Pats last season.
With Kuhr now back as the team’s full-time DC, the Patriots defense is poised to look a lot like the product that produced the AFC Championship, with starting safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and K’Lavon Chaisson the most notable free agents among the group.