New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are fully focused on getting ready for their upcoming playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, once the offseason eventually arrives, the team is going to have to make some important decisions.
Perhaps the biggest of the bunch involves the defensive coordinator position on head coach Mike Vrabel’s staff. Terrell Williams was initially brought in to lead the team’s defense, but he has missed virtually the entire year while focusing on his recovery from prostate cancer.
In his absence, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has stepped up to become the team’s de facto defensive coordinator this season. What the future holds for Williams is unknown, but if he returns next year, that could put Vrabel in a tough spot when it comes to finding a way to keep Kuhr involved as a top coach on his staff.
“Terrell Williams missed the season to focus on prostate cancer recovery,” Fowler wrote. “Zak Kuhr has acquitted himself well as interim, to the point where he could garner interest as a primary playcaller elsewhere.
But the Patriots have a really good thing going, so perhaps Mike Vrabel can find a way to incorporate both coaches while acknowledging Kuhr’s ascension.”
If Williams returns and Vrabel sticks with him as his defensive coordinator, Kuhr could ultimately look to find a defensive coordinator gig with another team in the NFL. If Vrabel sweetens up his role with the Pats, though, that could convince him to stick around, regardless of what Williams ends up doing.
Ultimately, this is a situation the team won’t have to worry about until their season comes to an end. They will look to advance to the divisional round of the playoffs when they square off against the Chargers at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night.
