The New England Patriots had a lot of things going right for them last season. From one of the easiest schedules in league history to Stefon Diggs becoming the perfect complement to Drake Maye, who flourished under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
Now, as they try to regroup and make another run, this time to potentially bring home another Lombardi Trophy, that final name might be their biggest hindrance. With rumors of a potential A.J. Brown trade floating, one analyst believes it could go down the drain amid offseason developments.
A.J. Brown Might Not Become a Patriot After All
Brown had an up-and-down season with the Philadelphia Eagles, and he was vocally critical of the team’s offense. Simultaneously, he finished at number 21 on PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, the first time he’d ranked outside of the top-10 since coming to the Eagles.
After they bowed out in the Wild Card round, the organization made multiple additions at wide receiver, both in free agency and in the draft. After trading up for Makai Lemon in the first round, it seemed inevitable that Brown would be moved.
Soon after, reports of a potential move to the Patriots after the June 1 deadline made the rounds. However, New England has been dealing with its own problems this offseason.
Pictures of their head coach alongside The Athletic’s Dianna Russini grabbed the headlines. Since then, the internet has been focused on their alleged affair. Russini has already stepped down from her position, while Vrabel missed the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft to enter counseling.
However, as new information continues to emerge, some are beginning to believe that Vrabel’s tenure with the Patriots could be cut short. During the latest SPORTSRADIO 94WIP, Joe Giglio believed that firing could directly affect the trade.
“The biggest reason I think there is a very easy connection to make that the Eagles will trade A.J. Brown to the Patriots: Mike Vrabel,” Giglio said. “If Mike Vrabel has to step down, it changes everything. To me, the biggest reason why A.J. wants to be a Pat and the Pats want A.J. is Vrabel.”
Brown began his career under Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans. Selected in the second round, he immediately logged consecutive 1,000-yard seasons while adding 19 receiving touchdowns. As a result, it seemed like a reunion might entice the three-time Pro Bowler.
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Last year, the Patriots got by with a receiving core led by Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. However, with Diggs released in the offseason and the roster not really adding a similar-caliber replacement, Brown might be the only name that makes sense for them. Unfortunately, even as they have come eerily close to bringing him in, the situation might get out of their hands in a heartbeat.
Tom E. Curran Brings Up ‘Mental Health’ Concern For Mike Vrabel
With each new revelation around Vrabel and Russini emerging on a near-weekly basis, veteran Patriots analyst Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston raised a concern that has largely gone unspoken throughout the saga.
“I think there’s a point at which you might as an individual, no matter how lofty your position and how important you are to the organization, might say, ‘I am depressed, I can’t do this, I can’t take the scrutiny.’ Everybody has a breaking point,” Curran said.
“I think everybody wants it to be neat and tidy, as in Mike steps away to help the brand and to get his life in order, and he just couldn’t,” he added. “There’s a mental health aspect I would imagine to this, which is pretty profound on a daily basis.”
So far, the Patriots have publicly supported Vrabel, with owner Robert Kraft not suggesting any plans to fire him. Similarly, Vrabel’s wife, Jen, who has been married to him since 1999, has shown no signs of wanting to leave, which may bring him some tranquility at home.
