A.J. Brown Mike Vrabel
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New England Patriots insider Mike Giardi shared how A.J. Brown is expected to improve following a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles haven’t yet completed the trade for star wide receiver A.J. Brown, but it seems understood that it’s coming. The question, instead, is about what the Patriots will send to Philadelphia and what Brown is at this stage of his career.
From a purely statistical point of view, Brown did see his numbers take a step in the wrong direction last season. However, Patriots insider Mike Giardi isn’t concerned. In fact, as he explained on an episode of the All 32 Podcast, he thinks that Brown will actually improve in New England.
“He’s not the same guy he was when he was 23, 24, when he was overwhelming dudes physically,” Giardi said. “But there is still that in his game. It’s just not maybe as consistent or as often as you want.”
Brown had 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2025. Those numbers were down from the height of his career in 2022 and 2023, but they’re still excellent for a season’s worth of production.
With the Patriots, Brown will have a few things going for him. He’ll again be with his Tennessee Titans head coach. Then, Drake Maye is a quarterback who Giardi thinks will fit Brown’s skillset better than Jalen Hurts.
“I think you’re gonna get a big bounce from him. I think, if he stays healthy,” Giardi said. “You’re gonna get the ideal of him being reunited with Vrabel and then with a quarterback who’s willing to push it into tight windows. Quarterback that’s willing to throw the ball over the middle of the field. That’s two things Jalen Hurts isn’t really willing to do. AJ Brown could have a great impact on the team.”
A.J. Brown Will Make Life Easier for the Other New England Patriots Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown Philadelphia Eagles
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown
One massive benefit for the New England Patriots is that adding A.J. Brown doesn’t just add his production. It’s the addition of a player that defenses have to respect, opening up opportunities for players like Romeo Doubs and the rest of the receiving corps.
“A.J. Brown is not the 1,500-yard receiver he was the first two years in Philadelphia… That’s going to dramatically improve life for Romeo Doubs,” Giardi said. “Who didn’t have that guy in Green Bay… If you’re the two, and A.J. is outside you, and A.J. is getting these two guys in coverage, you’re one-on-one… That’s someone who, even if A.J. Brown ends up with 70 catches and 1,100 yards, why couldn’t Romeo Doubs also end up with 70 catches and 850, 900 yards. I think that’s a real possibility.”
If teams choose not to put the emphasis on covering Brown, that’s fine by the Patriots. Maye will find Brown in that soft coverage and win that way. Focus on him, and the offense has those other options once he’s landed in New England.
“Again, even though he hasn’t been what he was a couple of years ago, or certainly what he was in Tennessee, he still does — if you go and look at the tape, and look at how the Eagles got played last year, even with what I think is, at best, an average quarterback in Jalen Hurts, he gets that kind of coverage,” Giardi added.
Romeo Doubs is Excited to Play With A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown Philadelphia Eagles
GettyA.J. Brown with the Philadelphia Eagles
Earlier in the offseason, the Patriots added Romeo Doubs to the wide receiver room. If there had been some concern that Doubs wouldn’t mesh well with A.J. Brown, that doesn’t seem to be the case, as he’s been welcome to the idea of adding another receiver.
“I was true to my word when I came here that there is no number one guy in this offense. So, whatever it is I have to do, whether it’s playing into the strength more or playing on the backside every here and now, or even having (revolving roles), which I’m really familiar with because I’ve done it in Green Bay also,” Doubs said.
“I’m open to all roles. That’s just part of this league. You know, the more you can do, the more you can do for the team, the more you show for yourself, just things of that nature.”