A flurry of New England Patriots coaching moves was reported on Monday. Besides four new assistant coaches entering the fold, including former NFL head coach Doug Marrone, the departure of two members of the 2024 staff also became public.
Dont’a Hightower and Drew Wilkins, who coached New England’s inside and outside linebackers, respectively, under previous head coach Jerod Mayo will not be back under his successor, Mike Vrabel. What do their departures mean for the team, though? Let’s assess given the information available about the rebuilt coaching staff so far.
Results business
Trading Matthew Judon and losing Ja’Whaun Bentley and Oshane Ximines to season-ending injuries, all before the season was even a month old, certainly did not do the Patriots’ linebacker corps any favors.