The Patriots enter the 2026 offseason in a far different position than in recent years, primarily because Mike Vrabel is returning as head coach rather than Robert Kraft having to conduct another search, as he has since 2023. That's a positive after the devastating Super Bowl loss, but it was a productive and impressive season.
That doesn't mean, however, that Vrabel might not make some changes to his coaching staff, particularly on defense.
As most Patriots fans know, Terrell Williams was hired as the defensive coordinator but had to miss the 2025 season due to a cancer diagnosis. He is now reportedly cancer-free and could return to the team this offseason. We'll have to wait and see. But given the success of the defense under interim DC Zak Kuhr, Vrabel has a big decision to make about the role's future.
He was asked about that during his end of season presser earlier this week, and he didn't shut down the idea of Kuhr remaining the play caller.
Mike Vrabel on if Zak Kuhr will remain as DC: “There will be a lot of things we’ll have to work through there.”
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) February 10, 2026
Terrell Williams’ health obviously a primary factor. pic.twitter.com/GTcfrnmdl4
That will inevitably be a difficult decision to make, especially since Williams was the one who won the job.
Mike Vrabel will have a lot to think about regarding the defensive coordinator role for the 2026 season
One of the biggest strengths of the 2025 Patriots season was their defense, and that showed up during the Super Bowl, as they shut down the Seahawks' biggest threat, Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Although Kevin Walker III had an incredible game, Sam Darnold was very limited in the passing game, and when he tried to make something happen, Christian Gonzalez and Jaylinn Hawkins ensured it didn't go well.
The defensive line also featured stars, with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams becoming one of the best defensive tackle duos in the entire league, bringing the most pressure against opposing quarterbacks. And then there were the under-the-radar rising stars, like Cory Durden, Elijah Ponder, and Leonard Taylor III.
The team ran through the defense for much of the season, and because of that, there's a good chance Vrabel will want to maintain consistency and keep Kuhr as the defensive coordinator despite Williams' potential return.
At this point, Williams' immediate future is unclear, given the seriousness of his illness, so there is plenty of time to make any necessary decisions. And the worst-case scenario is that Zuhr remains on the staff as the linebacker's coach, so he will still be a voice for the defense this fall.
Regardless, it will be a tough call for Vrabel to make, as he clearly believed Williams was the right guy for the job, and he still can be.