New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is already considering making a change to his coaching staff after three weeks, but it's not performance-based. Vrabel has been without his defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams, for periods of time due to health reasons. And while Williams is back now, he could be in for a significantly reduced role.
According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, Vrabel was asked on Monday if Williams would be returning this week, but didn’t give a clear answer. “We'll kind of see where things are here, going forward here, in the next couple of days. But Terrell is around. We just got to make sure that we're trying to build some consistency with how we do things."
Mike Vrabel Could Be on Verge of Putting Zak Kuhr in Defensive Coordinator Role
Vrabel has made it clear that Williams will be around, but the "consistency" comments and ambiguity in his messaging certainly leaves the door open for a more permanent coaching switch. Zak Kuhr has handled defensive playcalling duties in Williams' absence, and it may not be long before he's officially made the defensive coordinator.
And for as much as the "consistency" comment is noteworthy, it's also important to acknowledge what Vrabel hasn't said. If he wasn't at least toying with the idea of making this coaching switch official, what reason would he have for not clarifying that the DC job is Williams'?
Williams stepped away from the team this offseason, but eventually returned in July. However, the Patriots' defensive coordinator suddenly collapsed during a training camp practice because of a dehydration-related issue. Then Vrabel told reporters earlier this month that Williams would be stepping away again for another health-related issue.
It's a tough decision to make, but if you're Vrabel you need to do what you feel is in the team's best interest. And if that means elevating Kuhr, then you have to make the move. Even if Vrabel would like Williams to be calling the shots on defense, as he was one of Vrabel's hires, Williams’ health is just as important.
When Kuhr took over the playcalling duties in Week 2, New England’s defense gave up 315 passing yards to Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, which isn’t great. However, it was an improvement from Week 1, when they allowed Las Vegas Raiders QB Geno Smith to throw for 362 yards.
In last week’s win against the Dolphins, the Patriots’ defense had five sacks and an interception. Fast forward to Sunday’s loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England’s defense allowed 203 total yards of offense and had an interception. But they couldn’t register a single sack on Rodgers.
For this defensive unit, which has a lot of new faces, to improve, the Patriots need to have some consistency on the sidelines. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Vrabel decides to officially make Kuhr the DC ahead of their Week 4 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.