Patriots Opening Night notebook: DC Terrell Williams happy to be back

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Terrell Williams is back with the New England Patriots in time for the Super Bowl.

The defensive coordinator missed most of the season after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in September. He took a leave of absence after being on the sideline for New England's Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Williams attended meetings at the Patriots' facility during his recovery period, but he didn't travel with the team this season. Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr filled in as New England's defensive play-caller.

Williams, 51, was declared cancer-free during the playoffs.

"Honestly, my thoughts are about the game and not really about me or the Super Bowl or anything," he said. "This could be a preseason game and I'd be happy to be here with these guys after kind of what I've been through, what we've been through."

The Patriots have allowed an average of 8.6 points per game in their three playoff contests. They forced eight turnovers in those wins over the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos.

--One of the subplots to the Sunday game will be how the Patriots choose to defend Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL this season with 1,793 yards while catching 10 touchdown passes among his 119 receptions.

New England could mix coverages, but the Patriots may also assign Christian Gonzalez to Smith-Njigba. Gonzalez, who has become one of the top cornerbacks in the league, intercepted a pass on Denver's final possession to secure New England's 10-7 victory in the AFC Championship Game.

"He can do everything from every spot on the field," Gonzalez said of Smith-Njigba. "He's a smooth route-runner, can run every route, and he's just an amazing player. I (have) the utmost respect for him, and I'm excited for Sunday."

--New England wide receiver Stefon Diggs has 80 receptions for 982 yards and five touchdowns in 17 career playoff games, and he is looking to become the 19th NFL player to reach 1,000 postseason receiving yards.

Diggs, who is in his first season with the Patriots, is currently 20th on the NFL's all-time postseason list for receiving yards. He enters the Sunday game tied for 12th with 80 postseason receptions and needs six more catches to move into the top 10.

Diggs had 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in the 2025 regular season.

"I've been in the league a long time," Diggs said Monday night. "As far as the corners, I've seen some of the best corners in the game, Hall of Fame corners, Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman -- all those guys.

"I took a lot of lumps earlier in my career, so understanding what I've seen, I come with a little bit of experience, I guess, to kind of show out in the game."

Diggs played for the Minnesota Vikings, the Buffalo Bills and Houston before he signed with New England last March.

--Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels owns six Super Bowl rings, so he knows a bit about planning for the contest.

McDaniels pointed out the oddity of there being a long layoff leading up to the game.

"We don't have any games during the season where we have two weeks to prepare," he said, "so you've got to be careful you don't overdo it."

New England head coach Mike Vrabel earned three Super Bowl rings as a linebacker, but this is his first trip to the Super Bowl since his playing days.

"Josh has been a good resource, obviously," Vrabel said. "He's coached in these with the extended break."

--Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane didn't practice Monday at Stanford, but he is optimistic his ankle injury won't prevent him from playing on Sunday. He is listed as questionable.

"I'm doing what I need to do," Spillane said. "We have a plan scheduled for me to return to play. I'm just trying to do everything I can to make sure we're right on it."

Spillane had 97 tackles and two interceptions in 13 regular-season games. He aggravated the nagging ankle injury during the AFC Championship Game.

--Field Level Media