NASHVILLE — The New England Patriots traded for wide receiver A.J. Brown on a chaotic June 1st in the NFL. The move reunites the former Tennessee Titans star with former Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel.

Brown was a Titans second-round draft pick in 2019. He was traded amid a contract dispute to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.

Former Titans contingent in New England grows

The deal sends a 2028 first-round pick and a fifth-round choice in 2027 to Philadelphia in exchange for Brown. Even though it’s a new city, there will be familiarity, as he joins a group of well-known former Titans in Kevin Byard, Harold Landry III, and even Dre’Mont Jones.

Turning 29 at the end of June, A.J. Brown immediately becomes Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s top target. The trade, itself, was the worst-kept secret in the league for months. Brown’s relationship with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had deteriorated to the point where it was affecting the locker room. Now back with the coach that drafted him in Tennessee, Brown gets a clean slate.

Sort of.

A.J. Brown is still a high-level player, even past his peak

Brown had a down season in 2025 by his own standards. 

He still reached 1,003 receiving yards. While it was his lowest total since his final season with the Titans, Brown still matched his touchdown production (7) from the previous two seasons. 

Yards per reception dipped to a career low last year (12.9) in Philly, however. 

Brown’s first-down total (46) was also his lowest outside of his rookie year, and his longest reception of the season was 45 yards. That represented a significant drop in explosive-play production from what we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from the star wideout. Brown’s best years are probably behind him. 

I’d be comfortable betting on that even while acknowledging he can still be a high-level player.

The question is whether Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can get Brown back in gear. Revitalization for A.J. Brown looks like 1,200 to 1,400 yards and double-digit touchdowns. He now has an MVP candidate at quarterback in Maye, who is the most talented passer Brown will work with to date. 

There will be no lack of volume for Brown in New England’s offense.

Vrabel and Brown are both different people now

The dynamic between these two will be fascinating. 

The last time Vrabel coached A.J. Brown, the receiver didn’t have a championship ring on his résumé. Now he does, along with another Super Bowl appearance. Brown’s persona is justified by production in a way it wasn’t during his Tennessee tenure. He carries himself like one of the best at his position.

He has the credentials to back it up.

Brown comes with personality quirks. He will say things in the locker room that generate buzz. He will be passive-aggressive on social media in certain situations. There will be moments where he tests your patience.

Vrabel, meanwhile, is coaching from a lesser position of authority than he once held. 

Given the documented situation around an alleged affair with former NFL insider Dianna Russini over the course of the last six years that came to light in March, Vrabel’s messaging about accountability rings more hollow now. 

How a different that version of Vrabel handles this version of Brown is one of the more compelling subplots in the NFL this season.