The New England Patriots secured quarterback Drake Maye his new No. 1 weapon earlier this offseason, landing three-time Pro-Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Maye is understandably excited about having a player of Brown’s caliber at his disposal heading into the 2026 NFL season.
“It’s hard not to get excited,” Maye said after practice on Wednesday. “What a player he is. Just to start off the bat, what a great teammate so far. He’s eager to learn. He’s great with the guys in the locker room. We just look forward to playing with a guy of that caliber. He’s been a great player in this league. Everywhere he’s gone he’s been a guy you see him on SportsCenter the next day - making plays and scoring.”
“The best thing about him, he’s been a winner,” Maye continued. “He knows what it’s like to win. Obviously that’s something in that room we’re looking for. … Just coming in with that stature, with his ability and that size.”
Brown landed in New England in exchange for a 2028 first-round selection and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. Through 15 games in his final season with the Eagles, the talented wide receiver reeled in 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.
Maye, Brown and the Patriots will begin their 2026 NFL regular-season schedule with a Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks (Commemorative Special) on Sept. 9.
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