Why Patriots Defensive Coordinator Was Absent For Rookie Camp

The Patriots opened rookie minicamp Friday, but they were without one key member of the coaching staff.

Mike Vrabel opened his news conference by revealing that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was not present for rookie minicamp due to a “medical condition.” The New England head coach added that Williams spoke with players and coaches through Zoom and that he would not get into timelines on coaches or players.

Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr took over Williams’ defensive coordinator duties.

“A lot of this stuff was planned out, as far as just the installation and the things that we were going to do,” Vrabel told reporters, per Patriots video. “From that sort of thing, they did all that as a staff. We did all that as a staff. Just thought Zak has great knowledge of what we’ve done here in the past with me and the system and Terrell. But all of our coaches over there, (Scott Booker) and (Justin Hamilton) have been working on the secondary. Phase 2 of this offseason is about individual development. It’s about skill development, working through individual drills and the things we’re going to do that develop them. There’s an installation that goes on, but a lot of that is done in the position rooms, and then obviously, there’s a defensive identity that we want to build and all of those coaches have taken a role and will continue to take a role in that identity.”

Kuhr was the New York Giants defensive assistant coach last season, but he worked on Vrabel’s staff with the Tennessee Titans for four seasons.

The Patriots will hold OTAs later this month.