A.J. Brown is now officially a part of the New England Patriots, ending months of speculation that intensified throughout a turbulent 2025 season in Philadelphia. The Eagles traded Brown to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, reuniting him with head coach Mike Vrabel, who drafted him in 2019 with the Tennessee Titans.
In an exclusive interview with Maria Taylor, Brown opened up about the trade, his excitement about the reunion with Vrabel, and the simple text message his former and now current head coach sent him when the deal became official.
Mike Vrabel Kept It Simple With A.J. Brown
Vrabel’s presence in New England was arguably the biggest factor pulling Brown toward Foxborough. The two built a strong rapport during the star wideout’s three seasons with the Titans.
The 28-year-old receiver has often spoken openly about his admiration for Vrabel and has also admitted that he grew up as a Patriots fan. During the interview, Taylor asked Brown what Vrabel texted him once the trade was finalized.
“Get open and catch the ball,” Brown said about Vrabel’s message. “That’s what he always said, get open and catch the ball, that’s what he said when he drafted me in Tennessee. That’s what he said again. He said, ‘Get open and catch the ball, the mission is still the same.'”
The message fits Vrabel’s no-nonsense coaching style and captures exactly what New England needs from Brown. He steps into the Patriots’ offense as the clear WR1 alongside Romeo Doubs, whom the team signed in free agency.
Brown gives quarterback Drake Maye something he didn’t have last season: a proven outside weapon who can win consistently against man coverage.
Maye threw for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and a league-leading 72% completion rate in 2025, leading the Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance in just Vrabel’s first season. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Patriots posted an impact score of 86.6 last season, ranking second in the league.
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Adding Brown to that offense should open up the intermediate windows that Doubs and tight end Hunter Henry thrive in while giving Maye a target he can trust on contested throws downfield.
Maye’s arm talent arguably surpasses what Brown had working with in Philadelphia’s run-first scheme, and for a receiver who publicly voiced his frustration about not getting the ball enough, New England’s pass-friendly approach could be the perfect fit.
The Patriots have a much tougher schedule in 2026, and they’ll need Maye and Brown to develop chemistry quickly to start the season well, as they will start their season with these four games:
- Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks
- Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
