The New England Patriots made a blockbuster trade to acquire A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1, and the move could land them back in the Super Bowl.
The Patriots defied expectations by winning the AFC East and reaching the Super Bowl last season. They established themselves as one of the top teams in the league, but face a tougher schedule next season. Brown will certainly help combat that tougher schedule, but Rob Gronkowski thinks they needed Brown to actually get back to the Super Bowl.
"I think he’s going to be the X factor to put the Patriots back into contention of being in the Super Bowl," Gronkowski told Fox News' Scott Thompson in a story published Friday. "I mean, it’s so hard to claim you’re going to the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl. But I would say he’s the X factor of getting them in contention of being Super Bowl contenders again.
"That’s all you can ask for going into the preseason. That’s all you can ask for going into the season, there’s no doubt about that. To go back to the Super Bowl, you’ve got to upgrade your roster, and no doubt A.J. Brown is the upgrade that they needed."
Brown is a three-time Pro Bowler and gives the Patriots a true No. 1 receiver. They had Stefon Diggs last season, but released him. Before adding Brown, Romeo Doubs was expected to be the team's top receiver. He is a solid addition, but has never had a 1,000-yard season. Brown is someone the team can rely on to consistently win matchups against top corners.
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