Patriots hit an offseason speed bump as they deal with a coaching staff issue that caught the team by surprise

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - The New England Patriots will be hosting their rookie minicamp on Friday, but will be without one key member of the coaching staff. 

When speaking with reporters prior to the session, head coach Mike Vrabel said that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams is not at the facility at the moment as he works through a medical condition. 

"I have been in constant communication with him daily," Vrabel stated. "Terrell is eager to get back, and we’re excited to get him back."

Vrabel did say that Williams will address reporters for the first time since he accepted the job via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. However, he won't give a timeline for Williams' return, but did say that Williams has been in contact with the players and coaches through Zoom. 

At the moment, Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has been handling Williams' responsibilities. 

The Patriots hired Williams away from the Detroit Lions where he spent the the 2024 season as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator. He has experience with Vrabel, having spent six seasons under the Patriots head coach while with the Tennessee Titans. He was a defensive line coach from 2018 to 2022, also adding assistant head coach responsibilities in 2023.

As for Kuhr, he joined the Patriots after having spent the 2024 season with the New York Giants. He also spent time with the Titans, beginning as a quality control coach in 2020 before moving to assistant linebackers coach from 2021 to 2023.