Report: Pats promote Kuhr to defensive coordinator

The New England Patriots are promoting inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr to defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Kuhr was the interim defensive coordinator and play-caller last season after Terrell Williams stepped away from the team to battle cancer in September. Williams has since moved into a high-ranking role on Mike Vrabel's staff.

New England's defense was crucial to its run to the Super Bowl last season, ranking third in points allowed after finishing 21st the year prior. The Patriots allowed just 8.6 points per contest in their first three playoff games before losing to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in the final game of the year.

The Patriots surrendered 335 yards and one offensive touchdown in the Super Bowl, while the offense had just 78 net yards heading into the fourth quarter.

Kuhr, 37, was a defensive assistant for the Tennessee Titans under Vrabel from 2020-23. He took a job on the New York Giants' staff in 2024 before reuniting with Vrabel last season.