The New England Patriots continue to assemble their new coaching staff under head coach Mike Vrabel.
After hiring Josh McDaniels back as the offensive coordinator, Vrabel now has his defensive coordinator.
According to ESPN senior insider Adam Schefter (via insider Ari Meirov), Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams is set to become the new defensive coordinator up in Foxborough.
Williams coached under Vrabel while the two were with the Tennessee Titans for six seasons (2018-2023).
#Lions DL coach Terrell Williams is leaving Detroit to become the new DC of the #Patriots under Mike Vrabel, per @AdamSchefter. Williams and Vrabel were together in Tennessee from 2018-2023.
Dan Campbell — who once called Williams the best defensive line coach in the NFL — is… pic.twitter.com/V6ei8HlvLy
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 22, 2025
An underlying part of this hire means that the Detroit Lions are now set to lose three key assistants, with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson becoming the head coach of the Chicago Bears, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn likely set to become a head coach soon, and now Williams moves on to a new team.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell once called Williams the best defensive line coach in the league, and that should excite the fans in New England.
Williams has coached in the NFL for the last 13 seasons but has never been a defensive coordinator.
He has always been a defensive line coach or a run game coordinator.
This is a big step up for him.
However, he seems to be ready for the challenge, considering the Lions were one of the best teams in run defense in the regular season without Pro Bowl edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson and starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill for much of the season.
Expect the Patriots’ defense to significantly improve in 2025 after ranking in the bottom half in total defense last season.
NEXT: Patriots Reportedly Decide On Offensive Coordinator
