Patriots' Terrell Williams Says He's Cancer-Free, DC Will Travel With Team to Super Bowl 60

New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Sept. 11, announced that he is cancer-free and will travel with the team to Super Bowl LX, per comments made to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.

"All of the doctors, all of the nurses at Mass General, and everyone that's taken blood samples, all the people there, they're so important and good at what they do. I appreciate those guys," Williams told Callahan. "And I appreciate this organization and the people of New England. When I say that, I mean it. I'm just shocked at how kind the people are up here. And it's been unbelievable.

"Hopefully we can bring a smile to their faces on Sunday."

Pats head coach Mike Vrabel revealed the great news to his squad prior to a team meeting that took place in the week leading up to New England's 28-16 win over the Houston Texans on Jan. 18, per Callahan.

The team is obviously thrilled, and numerous Pats defensive players expressed their joy and gratitude for his clean bill of health.

"It means everything," Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss told Callahan. "He's a great coach, he's a great man. He's been one of my biggest supporters all year."

Pats defensive tackle Milton Williams added: "Man, it was hard to see him go through what he went through, but everything ended up working out. God's got His hand on him, and he's blessed to be out of that situation. So him coming back, it's big for our team to continue to play hard for him and play hard for each other."

The 51-year-old Williams was a defensive line coach in college from 1998-2011 before joining the NFL with the Oakland Raiders as their DL coach from 2012-2014. He had the same role with the Miami Dolphins (2015-2017) and Tennessee Titans (2018-2023). He served under then-Titans head coach Vrabel for that entire stint and was an assistant head coach in 2023.

After the Titans fired Vrabel, Williams went to the Detroit Lions for the 2024 season as their defensive line coach/run game coordinator. Williams then linked back up with Vrabel for 2025 when he got the Pats' head coaching job.

Although Williams didn't travel with the team after being diagnosed, he still kept in touch with the team during his recovery, including visits to the team facility, attending meetings and keeping connected with Pats players, per Callahan.

Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr served as the Patriots' de-facto defensive coordinator in Williams' absence. The coaching staff and a influx of new personnel via offseason (combined with talented players from last season) have combined to make the Pats a formidable defense. New England has notably allowed the fourth-fewest points per game in the NFL this year.

Now the Pats head to Santa Clara, California, with Williams aboard, in hopes of winning the franchise's seventh Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 8 when they take on the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks.