New England Patriots - NESN.com
New England Patriots news emerged on Friday that’s far more important than football. Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Mike Vrabel informed the media that New England’s defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams, has received a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Williams, 51, has been away from the Patriots of late to undergo testing and treatment. Per Reiss, Vrabel said that Williams is undergoing treatment as a means to “to figure out the best plan to be able to attack this and heal it and allow him to get back to better health.”
“Our medical staff and the people in this town have been fantastic to help him and get him started with that process,” Vrabel added, per Reiss.
Williams has been coaching in the NFL since 2012. He worked with Vrabel previously as the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans between 2018 and 2023, a stint which featured Tennessee reaching the AFC title game in 2019. He served as the Detroit Lions’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator last season under Dan Campbell.
Williams was hired as the Patriots’ defensive coordinator in January.
While Williams continues to take time away from the team to receive treatment, inside linebackers coach Zak Khur will operating as defensive playcaller, a role he has taken on since Williams stepped away.
