There's been a new defensive coordinator named for the New England Patriots, but it's safe to say much will remain the same from the team's Super Bowl run.
The Patriots are hiring their inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr to the team's defensive coordinator job, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday.
Terrell Williams, who was recently moved to another 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 Williams was taking on another role, Rapoport reported Kuhr was a "very, very, very" strong candidate to earn the DC role, so this was a most expected move.
With Kuhr at the reins, the Patriots defense improved the year, finishing the regular season as the fourth-ranked defense in points allowed and eighth in yards. The Patriots' defensive play was particularly impressive in the playoffs, allowing an average of 8.6 points per game in its three AFC wins. In New England's 29-13 setback against the Seahawks, the Patriots allowed just 335 yards and one offensive touchdown.
The 37-year-old Kuhr's NFL experience has come predominantly under the Mike Vrabel coaching umbrella, beginning as a quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2020, and then as an inside linebacker assistant the next three seasons. He spent a season as a New York Giants defensive assistant in 2024 before rejoining Vrabel with the Pats this past season.
With Kuhr now returning as the team's full-time DC, the Patriots defense is poised look very similar to the product that produced an AFC Championship, as starting safety Jaylinn Hawkinsand K'Lavon Chaisson are the most notable pending free agents on the squad.
