Courtesy of Patriots.com

The Patriots have found their permanent answer at defensive coordinator, and they didn’t have to look far to find him. On Tuesday, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Tom Pelissero reported that the team is officially hiring inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr to fill the role full-time.

While the title is new, the face is a familiar one for a unit that just completed a deep postseason run.

Kuhr spent the majority of the 2025 season serving as the de facto coordinator after Terrell Williams, the original DC, was forced to step away to battle prostate cancer. Williams has since transitioned into a high-ranking position within the New England staff, opening the door for the 37-year-old Kuhr to take the reins officially.

Kuhr was considered a strong candidate for the job and the hiring stands as one of the most expected coaching elevations of the offseason.

The promotion comes on the heels of a dominant defensive showing under Kuhr’s guidance. After taking over play-calling duties following Week 1, he led a resurgence that saw the Patriots finish the regular season ranked fourth in points allowed and eighth in total yards. The defense was even better in the playoffs, where they uffocated opponents by allowing just 8.6 points per game across three playoff wins.

Even in the team’s 29-13 Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Kuhr’s unit held its own, limiting a high-powered Seattle offense to 335 total yards and just one offensive touchdown. His ability to maintain elite production under the pressure of a championship pursuit solidified his standing as the primary choice for the position.

Kuhr’s rise through the coaching ranks has been closely tied to head coach Mike Vrabel. His NFL career began in 2020 as a quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans under Vrabel, followed by three seasons as an assistant for the inside linebackers. After a one-year stint as a defensive assistant for the New York Giants in 2024, Kuhr reunited with Vrabel in New England this past season.

With Kuhr remaining at the helm of the defense, the Patriots appear positioned for continuity. The scheme and culture that powered their AFC Championship run are expected to remain intact, though the team does face some roster uncertainty. Starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins and linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson represent the most significant pending free agents on a defense that looks to pick up where they left off last season.