The New England Patriots made a big move early in this offseason when they moved Terrell Williams to a new high-ranking role on Mike Vrabel's coaching staff. That opened up the defensive coordinator role on Vrabel's staff, and after filling in for Williams for virtually the entire 2025 campaign, linebackers coach Zak Kuhr was rightfully promoted to that position.
While Kuhr seems like the obvious hire, he wasn't the only candidate for this job. One other known candidate for this job was Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, who drew interest for several other defensive coordinator openings this offseason. Banda didn't wind up landing any of those jobs, but he has earned a promotion with Cleveland, as he will be its new defensive pass game coordinator.
"The Browns are promoting safeties coach Ephraim Banda to pass game coordinator, per source," Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported in a post on X. "Banda interviewed this cycle for several defensive coordinator jobs, including with the Patriots. But he’ll stay in Cleveland as a top assistant to new DC Mike Rutenberg."
Vrabel worked with the Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant in 2024, so he is familiar with Banda. Even though he didn't land the Pats' defensive coordinator job, there was a chance Banda would join Vrabel's staff, as there's been a lot of turnover in Cleveland early this offseason. Instead, he has earned a new promotion and will be sticking with the Browns as part of Todd Monken's new-look staff.
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