The week leading up to Super Bowl 2026 will carry special meaning for the New England Patriots. Beyond the tactical preparation to face the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, the team will regain a key presence that was absent for much of the season: defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who has officially been declared cancer-free.
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Williams, 51, was diagnosed with prostate cancer on September 11, just days after New England’s Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
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From that point on, the coach stepped away from team travel to undergo treatment, although he never severed ties with the locker room and continued attending meetings whenever his health allowed. Now, after receiving the news in January, he will travel with the Patriots for the first time as they head to Super Bowl LX.
“All of the doctors, all of the nurses at Mass General, and every person who took care of me are incredibly important and great at what they do. I truly appreciate them,” Williams told the Boston Herald. “And I also appreciate this organization and the people of New England. I’m shocked by how kind everyone has been. It’s been unbelievable. Hopefully we can put a smile on their faces on Sunday.”
The emotional impact of the news was immediate within the team. Head coach Mike Vrabel shared the announcement with players ahead of the divisional-round victory, a moment that further strengthened the group’s unity. “It was hard to see him go through everything he went through, but in the end everything worked out.
God had his hand on him,” said defensive tackle Milton Williams. “Having him back is huge for us; we want to play hard for him and for each other.”
The medical process was far from simple. Initially, doctors believed it could be lymphoma due to how aggressive and widespread the condition was. “It had spread throughout my body: collarbone, hips, groin, legs. It was everywhere,” Williams explained. “When I heard the word cancer, I automatically thought of death. All of that went through my head, but the main thing was focusing on my health.”
Meanwhile, the coaching staff reorganized. Zak Kuhr took over as the primary defensive play-caller and led a unit that finished second in points allowed and third in yards surrendered during the regular season. In the playoffs, the defense allowed just 8.6 points per game, forcing eight turnovers.
Now, after four months of personal battle, Terrell Williams is not just returning – he is doing so to coach in his first Super Bowl. And for a Patriots team chasing a historic seventh Lombardi Trophy, his presence represents far more than a football story: it is a symbol of resilience, hope, and shared purpose.
