It was clear to most during the Patriots' 2024 season that many changes were needed in the following offseason, starting with the coaching staff. Although it was difficult to conclude that Jerod Mayo wasn't the right guy for the job at the time, too many instances proved he wasn't ready for what the team needed in the post-Bill Belichick era.
Depending on who you ask, that was apparent at various points in the season, with some even suggesting it before the regular season began. But Robert Kraft waited until after the Week 18 game to decide to let go of who he felt was the proper successor to the greatest coach of all time, putting New England in another unfamiliar situation going into the 2025 offseason.