After firing head coach Jerod Mayo in January, the New England Patriots overhauled the team, making significant changes on offense, defense and on the coaching staff.

A similar overhaul came in 2024, but the team finished last season 4-13. But there are many reasons to believe the franchise will be much improved this season and beyond.

Here are five reasons for optimism about the team’s direction:

Head coach Mike Vrabel

Mayo’s incompetence was a key reason the Patriots won only four games last season. Team sources told the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed that Mayo cultivated “a poor culture” and didn’t have the leadership to make “demanding and decisive decisions.”

Vrabel — who has 14 years’ coaching experience, six as Titans head coach — brings much more to the table. He has multiple playoff appearances, defeated Tom Brady in the playoffs as Titans coach and was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2021. If there is anybody who can elevate the Patriots, it’s Vrabel.