New England Patriots star A.J. Brown is one of the best wideouts in the NFL.
NFL analyst Matt Bowen of ESPN believes the New England Patriots acquired a true No. 1 WR this offseason in A.J. Brown.
New England's offense could be very, very explosive next season with Brown in the fold next to star QB Drake Maye.
"The Patriots acquired Brown to give quarterback Drake Maye a true No. 1 target at every level of the route tree," Bowen wrote. "More specifically, Brown gives New England the chance to scheme more one-on-one throws on the perimeter.
"Brown can play through contact at a consistent rate while also stretching the field vertically. He topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his four seasons with the Eagles, and his game pairs well with free agent signing Romeo Doubs. Both moves elevated a Patriots WR room that lacked impact ability last season."
Brown had 78 catches for 1,003 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Pro Bowler enters next season with 8,029 receiving yards and 56 receiving touchdowns in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and Eagles. He was heavily linked to the Patriots because Vrabel coached him in Tennessee. The two are very close.
Since entering the NFL, Brown is fourth in the league in both receiving yards (8,029) and touchdown catches (56). Brown and Cincinnati Bengals superstar Ja'Marr Chase are the NFL's only two players with at least 1,000 receiving yards and seven-plus touchdown catches in each of the past four seasons.
It will be intriguing to see how Brown performs in 2026 in Josh McDaniels' offense. The Patriots open the season with a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks in Seattle.
Maye enters next season with 6,670 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns. It will be fascinating to see whether the Patriots can return to the Super Bowl next season and win it all.
Maye and Co. have plenty of motivation after losing to Seattle 29-13 in Super Bowl LX.
