Your cart is currently empty!
Patriots reportedly targeting Lions’ Terrell Williams as next DC
Another Detroit Lions assistant is reportedly close to receiving a promotion from a different team.
According to a CBS report on Tuesday, the New England Patriots are “targeting” Lions defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator Terrell Williams as their new defensive coordinator under first-year coach Mike Vrabel. Williams joined the Lions as defensive line coach last offseason after spending 2018-23 in the same role for the Tennessee Titans, where he used to work under Vrabel.
Williams spent six seasons with the Titans and previously coached the defensive line for the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins, where he spent one season working with Lions head coach Dan Campbell, after spending over a decade as a defensive line coach for college teams.
“I’ve known Terrell and long, long time and I just think that he’s an absolutely excellent coach, and (assistant defensive line coach) Cam (Davis) continues to grow as a coach as well and they work well together,” Campbell said in December. “I think they give our guys the best opportunity to have success in a game which is what you want.”
He joined the Lions’ staff under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn last February intending to improve Detroit’s pass rush. In 2024, the Lions had the sixth-ranked rushing defense (98.4 rushing yards allowed per game, a slight fall off from 2023’s second-ranked rushing unit at 88.5 rushing yards allowed per game), and finished with 37 sacks as a team.
The Lions’ 37 sacks tied for 23rd-most in the NFL, along with the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions did not have a single pass rusher reach double-digit sacks after spending most of the season without their top pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, who broke his leg in Week 6. Detroit also lost its other starting defensive end, Marcus Davenport, in Week 3 and top defensive tackle, Alim McNeill, in Week 15 to season-ending injuries.
LOOKING AHEAD:Ben Johnson replacement: 5 candidates to watch for Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
By the end of the year, the Lions’ pass rush mainly consisted of players who were not on the roster at the beginning of the season alongside options like defensive end Josh Paschal and defensive tackle D.J. Reader. In the season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, the Lions had zero sacks and two quarterback hits on rookie phenom Jayden Daniels.
Lions coaches are now free to accept other coaching positions now that the Lions’ season is over. Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has already accepted the Chicago Bears head coaching job and Glenn is one of the leading finalists for other head coaching vacancies such as the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley has also reportedly interviewed for the Seattle Seahawks’ open offensive coordinator position.
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22, and email him atjramsey@freepress.com.
According to recent reports, the New England Patriots are eyeing Detroit Lions’ defensive backs coach, Terrell Williams, as their next defensive coordinator. Williams has been praised for his work with the Lions’ secondary and has a reputation for developing young talent.
The Patriots are in need of a new defensive coordinator after Matt Patricia was fired earlier this season. Williams could bring a fresh perspective to the Patriots’ defense and help revitalize a unit that has struggled at times this season.
While nothing has been officially confirmed yet, the Patriots’ interest in Williams is definitely something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Tags:
- New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions
- Terrell Williams
- Defensive Coordinator
- NFL news
- Coaching changes
- Patriots coaching staff
- Detroit Lions defense
- Terrell Williams coaching career
- Patriots offseason moves
#Patriots #reportedly #targeting #Lions #Terrell #Williams
Leave a Reply