NFL News: Lions' Terrell Williams Hired as Patriots DC on Vrabel's Staff

Mike Vrabel is acting quickly to fill out his coaching staff with the New England Patriots, hiring Detroit Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams as defensive coordinator on Wednesday.

Terrell joins the Patriots after previously working with Vrabel for six seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023.

Vrabel has now filled the two most prominent positions on his staff. Josh McDaniels is returning to New England as offensive coordinator, the team announced on Wednesday.

The Patriots are hoping Vrabel can provide stability after a chaotic two-year period for the organization between the end of the Bill Belichick era and a disappointing 2024 with Jerod Mayo.

To achieve that goal and start taking steps forward, Vrabel is turning to coaches he trusts and is familiar with. McDaniels began his coaching career in the same season that Vrabel joined the Patriots as a player in 2001. They were with the organization together for eight seasons until Vrabel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2009.

Williams has been working as a defensive line coach every year since 1998 when he was hired by Fort Scott Community College in Texas. He spent 14 seasons at the college ranks before getting his first NFL job with the Oakland Raiders in 2012.

The 50-year-old Williams has bounced around the NFL over the past 13 seasons. He's worked with the Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Titans and Lions. He added the title of associate head coach during his final season with Vrabel in Tennessee in 2023.

Williams was Detroit's run game coordinator, in addition to being defensive line coach this season.

This will mark Williams' first stint as a defensive coordinator at any level, but his experience in the league and familiarity with Vrabel should make for an easy transition. He's also working with a Patriots defense that has some good talent already in place, led by cornerback Christian Gonzalez coming off an All-Pro second-team selection in 2024.