Williams served as the Lions’ defensive line coach during the 2024 season.
Detroit Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams is reportedly set to take on the role of defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
Williams previously worked under Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, spending six years on Vrabel’s staff with the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023 before joining the Lions. He then served as the defensive line coach for the Detroit Lions during the 2024 season.
The Lions are facing significant staffing changes for next season, as the team is also set to lose both of its coordinators. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been hired as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will become the head coach of the New York Jets, according to reports.
On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared his expectation that the team would lose both coordinators to head coaching positions.
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Could Hendon Hooker Join Ben Johnson if Lions Coach Is Hired by AFC Team?
DETROIT – The Detroit Lions have been fortunate to retain offensive coordinator Ben Johnson over the past few years, especially considering he’s been one of the most sought-after head coach candidates in the NFL. However, that streak is expected to end in 2025, with Johnson likely to be hired as a head coach this offseason. His three potential destinations are the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders.
While both the Jaguars and Bears already have their quarterback situation settled, the Raiders find themselves without a clear starter at the position. This has led some to speculate that the Raiders might look to trade for Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker if they bring Johnson on board.
Hondo Carpenter, an insider for the Raiders, raised this possibility on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast, saying:
“Ben Johnson is clearly the [Raiders’] No. 1 target. So what would you trade for a Hendon Hooker?” Carpenter continued, “He’s got a couple years’ experience in the Ben Johnson system, so he comes in… and competes, and you could still go draft a guy. You still have Aidan O’Connell there, so he instantly competes.”
This makes a lot of sense for Las Vegas, as adding Hooker could provide much-needed depth and competition at quarterback. Carpenter noted that, at the very least, Hooker would challenge O’Connell and any rookie the Raiders may select in the 2025 NFL Draft. Las Vegas also has Gardner Minshew under contract for 2025, though cutting him would come with minimal penalty.
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hooker has yet to see significant action in regular-season play due to the presence of veteran quarterback Jared Goff. With Goff signed through 2028, Hooker’s path to a starting role in Detroit seems unlikely unless injury strikes. Given his limited opportunities with the Lions, Hooker could very well be open to a trade, especially with two years remaining on his rookie deal.
In a surprising turn, Johnson initially wasn’t planning to interview with the Raiders. However, after Las Vegas minority owner Tom Brady reached out to him through back channels, Johnson agreed to take the meeting. Since then, momentum has been building for Johnson to take over as head coach in Las Vegas, making it a very real possibility. If the Raiders do hire him, we could very well see them pursue a trade for Hooker as part of their quarterback solution.
