Patriots DC Role Still Up in the Air as Vrabel Weighs Options
FOXBORO - The Patriots’ defensive coordinator situation remains unsettled heading into the offseason, and head coach Mike Vrabel isn’t rushing a decision.
On Tuesday, Vrabel was asked directly whether Zak Kuhr - who served as the interim defensive coordinator and defensive play-caller this past season - would retain that role moving forward. Kuhr stepped up in September when Terrell Williams, the team’s official DC, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Even after Williams was declared cancer-free and cleared to return at season’s end, Kuhr remained at the helm of the defense.
Vrabel, as expected, played it close to the vest.
“There’ll be a lot of things that we’ll have to work through there,” he said. “We’ll have to work through - T’s healthy and been given a release to be back at work. So again, I’ll work through all those things here in the next couple days, weeks, however long those decisions take.”
It’s not a small decision. Under Kuhr’s leadership, the Patriots’ defense didn’t just hold its own - it thrived.
The unit was among the league’s best, showing a level of cohesion and aggression that kept New England competitive even when the offense sputtered. Kuhr’s play-calling was sharp, and his connection with the players was evident.
But here’s the wrinkle: Williams brings a wealth of experience. He was Vrabel’s choice when the position opened last offseason, and his resume speaks for itself. That kind of experience isn’t easily set aside - especially when you consider how much Vrabel values continuity and trust within his staff.
Then there’s Shane Bowen, another name worth watching. Bowen, Vrabel’s defensive coordinator in Tennessee from 2021 to 2023 and a long-time lieutenant during their Titans run, is currently without a job after being let go by the Giants in November. His familiarity with Vrabel’s system and coaching style makes him a potential candidate, even if nothing has been hinted publicly.
Throughout the season, Vrabel emphasized that his defensive staff took a collaborative approach. While Kuhr wore the headset and made the calls, other position coaches pitched in - a true group effort that helped keep the defense humming through a turbulent year.
Still, someone will need to be the voice of the defense when the team reconvenes for offseason workouts this spring. Vrabel noted that it’s about 10 weeks until players return to the facility. That gives him time - but not a lot - to make what could be one of the most important decisions of his first full offseason in Foxboro.
Whether it’s sticking with the rising Kuhr, reinstating the experienced Williams, or bringing in a familiar face like Bowen, Vrabel’s choice will shape the identity of this defense moving forward. And if last season was any indication, the bar is already set pretty high.