Upon being named the next Patriots' head coach after the end of the 2024 season, Mike Vrabel made it clear that an emphasis of the offseason would be surrounding quarterback Drake Maye with the right talent to help him become the franchise player they believe he could be.
The new regime certainly put in the effort to make that happen, particularly during the draft, and even kept 11 wide receivers on the roster until it was time to make the final team. That meant they had to cut some talented players from the offense, which unfortunately included Kendrick Bourne, who had previously thrived in Josh McDaniels' system.