Patriots director of skill development Joe Kim will not return for the 2025 season, according to ESPN.

Kim spent the past seven years In New England, where he reunited with former coach Bill Belichick after the two worked together with the Browns in the early 1990s. Kim began as a defensive assistant/pass rush coach, implementing martial-arts techniques to help Patriots defenders defeat blocks and pressure quarterbacks. He was promoted to director of skill development in 2020.

Kim previously worked for several NFL franchises, including the Cowboys, Dolphins, Packers, Broncos, Giants, Bills. Chiefs, Bears and Washington franchise, as well as Penn State University. His exit comes as the Patriots continue to revamp their coaching staff under new coach Mike Vrabel. Last year, Kim was one of a few staffers from the Belichick era who remained in the same positions under the recently fired Jerod Mayo.

“I’ve had nothing but a positive experience with the Patriots,” Kim told ESPN. “The time is right for a new challenge.”