Reports: Patriots elevate Zak Kuhr to defensive coordinator

Field Level Media|published: 02/17/2026, 9:02pm EST

Nov 2, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Detail view of a New England Patriots helmet prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots are promoting Zak Kuhr from inside linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The move was expected after previous defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who missed most of the season while battling prostate cancer, was cleared to return to work and moved into a higher-ranking role on Mike Vrabel's staff.

Kuhr became the Patriots' defensive play-caller in Week 2, and he helped guide the unit to a stellar season and an appearance in Super Bowl LX. New England ranked eighth in the league in total defense (295.2 yards allowed per game) and fourth in scoring defense (18.8 points).

After Williams' promotion last week, reports suggested Kuhr was the favorite to become the full-time defensive coordinator.

Kuhr, 37, was a New York Giants defensive assistant in 2024. Kuhr worked on Vrabel's staff with the Tennessee Titans from 2020-23, when he served as defensive quality control coach and inside linebackers assistant. That followed multiple stops as an assistant coach at the college level.

--Field Level Media