The New England Patriots have continued their work through Phase 2 of the offseason program, while also taking a break to host Community Day, at Gillette Stadium this week.
That has been the primary focus here on Pats Pulpit the past few days. For anything that fell through the cracks, let’s clean out the notebook. Welcome to this week’s edition of our Sunday Patriots Notes.
Deserved promotion
Zak Kuhr started his coaching career on the offensive side of the football. He did not switch to defense until joining Mike Vrabel’s
staff in Tennessee as a quality control coach in 2020.
Six seasons later, Kuhr was called upon to lead Vrabel’s defense in New England. That was not originally the plan, however, as he was elevated into the interim defensive coordinator role after Terrell Williams stepped away for prostate cancer treatment.
“I commend him for stepping in shoes that was big shoes at the time,” defensive captain Marcus Jones said. “He’d never been in that situation, but at the end of the day, he was always letting us know certain plays, certain schemes, ‘How you guys feel about this?’ He talked to us on the back end, and also talked to the guys, like, what type of blitzes, ‘What are they doing right here? What do you guys see out there on the field?’ And then it’s just a team effort at the end of the day.
“I feel like everyone on the coaching staff always asks the players, ‘How do you feel about this?’ And that means a lot, because at the end of the day, they can see it out there on the field, but they’re not us on the field as well. So, I feel like it’s a team thing.”
Kuhr thrived in the role as the Patriots defense improved throughout the season. That culminated in several key defensive adjustments during the playoffs that helped power New England to the Super Bowl, as the unit allowed a league-low 13.8 points per game and generated eight turnovers.
Following the season, the Patriots announced Williams would transition into a new role on staff before eventually being named assistant head coach. From there, elevating Kuhr into the role full-time became an easy decision.
“I don’t think anybody’s more deserving than him, stepping into that defensive coordinator role and just doing what he did in the postseason, and throughout the whole season,” safety and special-teamer Brenden Schooler said of Kuhr. “It was really special and really cool just to get to see him operate on the sideline, and see how he’s calling plays, and see how he talks to just the defensive guys the night before games.
“You can tell how much he loves this group, how much he loves his job, and so to see that fire and passion, it definitely rubs off on the leaders on the defense, and then that rubs off onto the rest of the guys on the defense, and the next thing you know, everyone’s got that same mindset, that same energy. Once you have a group of men who have the same direction and goal, it’s kind of hard to stop, and so to see him get elevated into that role was awesome. I was super happy for him.”
Last offseason, Kuhr served as the de facto defensive play caller on the practice fields while Williams was away from the team.
As the Patriots continue working through the offseason program this year, they will host their first OTA practice of the spring on Wednesday, where there should be little adjustment period with Kuhr now serving as the full-time defensive coordinator.
“I wouldn’t say there is a big difference,” Craig Woodson said. “Last year, he did a great job coming in and being able to call plays like he did. This year, he’s just going to build on that.”
Lessons from Diggs
Growing up with dreams of playing in the NFL, Kyle Williams studied wide receivers across the league. That included Stefon Diggs.
Getting the opportunity to play alongside Diggs last season was a dream come true for Williams. With the veteran now elsewhere after being released this offseason, Williams reflected on how valuable that experience was during his rookie year.
“Everything from when I first met him, to his last day here, I know I can take a lot from it, going on from here to the end of my career,” Williams said. “Just the wise words, and wise lessons that he taught me.”
Williams may now have the chance to play with another wide receiver he has watched, as the Patriots remain the front runners to land A.J. Brown in June.
“He’s somebody that I studied a little bit. I’m not as big as him, but I try to play big if I can. He’s just a great player. Great habits, a consistent guy. He’s a player you would want to look up to and watch,” Williams said. “If it happens it happens. If it doesn’t, we still gotta keep going.”
No. 18
After wearing No. 18 last season, Williams briefly changed to Diggs’ former No. 8 this offseason. That did not last long, as Williams is back in 18 for his sophomore season.
“I just had a change of heart,” Williams said. “And then my mom, she just didn’t want to get a new jersey, so your boy moved a little too fast. But no, just a little change of heart. I’m just happy that I’m back on the field.”
Lomu’s snaps
Many antennas went up when first-round pick Caleb Lomu lined up exclusively at left tackle during the lone rookie minicamp practice open to the media two weekends ago. Since joining the veterans on the roster, Lomu has spent more time at right tackle as he continues to cross-train — a trend expected to continue into OTAs next week.
Rollercoaster ride
The Patriots announced their 2026 schedule at Six Flags New England with a handful of players riding roller coasters. While some — such as TreVeyon Henderson and Christian Gonzalez — were cool, calm, and collected, others were not so much.
That included Marcus Jones, who had not ridden a rollercoaster in roughly 15 years as he prefers his feet being on the ground and being in control. Some peer pressure got Jones up on the rides.
“I’ve been in situations with an adrenaline rush when I run back a punt return, but that’s a little bit different,” he said.
Career year
Marcus Jones is coming off a career-season in which he posted bests in interceptions (3), pass breakups (11), fumble recoveries (3), sacks (2.0), total tackles (65), tackles for loss (8), QB hits (2), and punt return touchdowns (2).
His approach now entering this season is simple.
“Next page,” he said. “I don’t really care about the situation that happened last year. All I know is that we made it to the Super Bowl and we didn’t finish the job. So, that’s the main thing of like getting back to what we want to get back to.
“It’s a long road at the end of the day, but I don’t really see it too much of like the individual success. A lot of guys helped out when it came down to that, and you guys know I’m not selfish at all.”
Charity hoops
Former Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. held his fifth annual charity basketball game last weekend in Tempe, Arizona. It brought out a handful of former Patriots such as Matthew Judon, Keion White and Kendrick Bourne in addition to current cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, who’s dad was a former basketball player, put on quite the show ahead of his own charity event upcoming on June 6 in his hometown. Judon, meanwhile, was not happy with his playing time.
“I fly all the way out to Arizona,” Judon said. “My lips are chapped, everything is dry, and they’re not putting me in. I’m going to have to talk to him about this. It’s not going to happen a third year.”
Setting up the week ahead
The Patriots will continue to progress through their offseason program and enter the third and final phase of offseason workouts on May 27. That will mark the team’s first OTA practice of the spring. The media will be in attendance and head coach Mike Vrabel will speak for the first time since before the NFL Draft.
