Throughout the dynasty years under Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots were known for being a dominant force in all phases of the game, beyond what Tom Brady could do with any offensive roster he was given. That was particularly true of special teams, which Belichick emphasized during his tenure, prompting the rest of the league to follow suit.
Near the end of his time in Foxboro, however, the third group became more of a liability when on the field, with a revolving door of kickers and punters making things even worse. It didn't help that the coaching wasn't up to par, which made it more crucial for the post-Belichick coaches to prioritize that role moving forward.