ESPN Makes Embarrassing Mistake Discussing Patriots Coaching Staff
'NFL Live' panel did not know Zak Kuhr was the defensive play caller
The New England Patriots advanced to the second round of the NFL Playoffs after a thorough 16-3 beating of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
New England was the AFC’s highest seed to see action on wild-card weekend, so you’d think the national media would finally show the respect the 14-3 Patriots deserved.
You would be wrong.
After head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense held the Chargers to just 87 yards on the ground and made kicker Cameron Dicker’s first-half field goal the only points of the game for Los Angeles, ESPN analyst Peter Schrager wanted to give defensive play caller Zak Kuhr his flowers.
The only problem is, Schrager seemingly learned Kuhr’s name just before his broadcast went live.
“We always talk about players stepping up when someone goes down. Do you guys know the name Zak Kuhr?” Schrager asked the panel on “NFL Live.”
“I do not,” Dan Orlovsky responded.
“Inside linebackers coach for the Patriots,” Schrager continued. “Their defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams, could not do it because of health. They said, ‘Zak Kuhr, you’re the playcaller tonight.’ Zak Kuhr called the game (Sunday) as a young defensive assistant and was amazing!”
While Schrager is right, Kuhr did call the game on Sunday — and he did an amazing job — the notion that New England’s decision was a spur-of-the-moment prayer could not be more wrong.
Kuhr has been calling the defense for the Patriots since Week 2.
Williams has unfortunately been undergoing treatment for a prostate cancer diagnosis made public in September of last year.
It is unthinkable that a huge story like this is taking place on the team that is now the odds-on favorite to make it to the Super Bowl from the AFC, and it has completely flown under the radar of ESPN’s flagship football coverage.
“NFL Live” won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Daily Studio Show in 2025.
