Here is why the New England Patriots need A.J. Brown.
NFL analyst Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the New England Patriots "need" to trade for Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown.
According to Knox, the Patriots "need a new No. 1 receiver after parting with Stefon Diggs early in the offseason."
"Once the calendar turns to June, New England needs to get a deal for Drake Maye's new top target done," Knox wrote.
The Patriots are expected to acquire Brown on or after June 1. A Brown trade before June 1 would come with a 2026 cap hit of over $40 million, compared to less than $20 million if he's dealt after that date.
New England reached the Super Bowl last season, losing to the Seattle Seahawks. Diggs was released this offseason, but former Green Bay Packers WR Romeo Doubs signed with the Patriots in free agency.
Brown and the Eagles agreed to a three-year, $96 million extension in April 2024. The Super Bowl champion, though, has no guaranteed money on his current deal after 2026.
Brown had 78 catches for 1,003 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns last season. He and QB Jalen Hurts weren't on the same page and multiple reports have said the two stars are no longer close.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Brown has been with the Eagles since 2022. He has 339 receptions for 5,034 receiving yards and 32 receiving touchdowns in a Philadelphia uniform, helping the franchise beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
Brown has 8,029 receiving yards and 56 receiving touchdowns in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and Eagles. He's been heavily linked to the Patriots because Mike Vrabel coached him in Tennessee.
In Year 2 of the Vrabel era, the Patriots face the Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Jets, Denver Broncos and Dolphins.
Maye finished the 2025 regular season with 4,394 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns while completing 72.0% of his passes. He was second in MVP voting to Matthew Stafford.
All signs point toward Maye and Brown being teammates next season. Hopefully, Brown and Maye get along.
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