The New England Patriots’ defense has been one of the league’s most consistent units this season - tough, disciplined, and quietly dominant. But what’s gone largely under the radar is the story behind the man who was originally tasked with leading that group: defensive coordinator Terrell Williams.
Williams has been away from the team for nearly the entire 2025 season after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in early September. It’s a brutal reality that’s kept him off the sidelines during what’s become a remarkable playoff run for New England. And while the Patriots have continued to thrive defensively, his absence has been both felt inside the building and largely overlooked outside of it.
That context made headlines this week when ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith spoke on First Take, praising Williams for his role in building one of the NFL’s top defenses - just days before the Patriots are set to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
“There is a defense that Jarrett Stidham has to go up against,” Smith said. “There is a brother coaching that defense, Terrell Williams. We ain’t mentioned him all year long.”
Smith’s comments were part of a larger segment previewing the AFC title game, where he emphasized the challenge facing Stidham, Denver’s backup quarterback, and expressed disbelief at the idea of New England losing to a QB who hadn’t started in two years. But his shoutout to Williams - while well-intentioned - missed a critical piece of the story: Williams hasn’t been on the sidelines all season because he’s been undergoing treatment for cancer.
That’s not a minor oversight. In fact, had more eyes been on this situation, it likely would’ve been one of the most powerful storylines of the year - a respected coordinator battling a serious illness while the unit he helped shape continues to thrive.
To Smith’s credit, he did highlight Williams’ coaching pedigree, noting his prior connection with Mike Vrabel in Tennessee and the job he’s done with a defense that ranks among the top five in the league. “We’re going to give brothers credit on this show!
And that brother is doing his thing!” Smith said.
And he’s not wrong - Williams has long been respected in coaching circles, and his fingerprints are all over this Patriots defense. From their front-seven discipline to the secondary’s cohesion, this is a group that reflects the identity of a coach who’s spent years developing talent and demanding excellence.
But as the Patriots prepare for the AFC Championship, it’s worth remembering the full picture. Yes, the defense has been elite.
Yes, the coaching staff deserves credit. But the man who helped lay the foundation - Terrell Williams - has been fighting a much tougher battle behind the scenes.
In a season full of unexpected twists and breakout stories, this one deserves more than just a passing mention.