All of the above? My guess (no inside info) is that Kraft wasn't thrilled with losing the top 2 games each year, but could live with it. However 2025 likely came with added pressure, either from Kraft and/or boosters, because of the injection of NIL money to keep this year's roster intact and the looming stadium renovation that will be a heavy reliance on selling out high margin premium luxury seating to generate revenue. Assuming reports of Franklin trying for an extension are true, Kraft may have told him let's see how 2025 plays out given the returning team we had in place, putting more pressure on 2025 being a make or break year. Then if Franklin went behind Kraft's back for the extension that leash probably got a bit shorter. Sprinkle in a loss to Oregon, and Kraft is now paying close attention because of all of the above and we still end up with the same old big game result, only this time it was a game were most of the intangibles favored PSU: more experienced roster, home game, Oregon travelling 3 time zones, night game, PSU finally favored, Oregon new starting QB, etc. Add in a loss to UCLA where a first time OC had 3 days to prepare and outcoached the PSU staff, a team that looked like they gave up, and yet another example of Franklin letting a big game lead to multiple losses, and now Kraft might be considering taking action. Next you get one of the most toxic home losses ever for PSU against a Big 10 bottom-dweller and again a team that looked like they gave up. Now you've forced Kraft to act immediately rather than waiting any further. Perhaps after UCLA Kraft decided it was time to move on from Franklin, but the NW game accelerated the plan.
This is all speculation on my part, but seems realistic.