The consistent decline of the New England Patriots since the 2020 season has made it difficult for any head coach to sign the caliber of talent the roster desperately needs, no matter how much money they are willing to offer. It came to a head during the 2024 offseason, with players like Brandon Aiyuk and D.K. Metcalf ruling out a potential trade to the Patriots, despite massive offers.
That was one of the reasons Robert Kraft knew massive changes were needed, and therefore created the opportunity for Mike Vrabel to join the staff. His experience as a head coach, coupled with Eliot Wolf's determination to bounce back from a failed offseason, meant superstar talent came to the team, most notably Milton Williams.