Trading for an aging receiver who was the subject of nearly constant drama with his quarterback and coaching staff isn't exactly the most secure bet a team can make. The New England Patriots sent a future first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for A.J. Brown, giving quarterback Drake Maye the top target he was missing.
The connection between the two star players could determine how successful the Patriots are in 2026. This duo will be a driving force in Josh McDaniels' offense.
According to Maye, his early connections with Brown have been nothing but positive.
Speaking at his FlexWork Sports camp, Maye said, "A.J.'s been awesome. I'm looking forward to playing with him, looking forward to getting into camp and building some chemistry. I know there's already some there for me. You've just got to throw it near him, and he'll make a play. So, he's a great teammate, he's been great so far, and he loves to win."
Drake Maye is already building chemistry with A.J. Brown ahead of Patriots training camp
Maye has needed a receiver who fits that exact description. His aggressive passes down the field were a major part of New England's offense last season. He finished second in the NFL in deep passing yards despite Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins being his top deep targets.
If the 37 targets of 20 yards or more that went to Boutte or Hollins last season go to Brown instead, the Patriots' offense could be more explosive than ever. Brown is one of the best deep threats in the NFL, thriving in contested catch situations.
While he had a down year in 2025, he brought down almost 60% of his contested catch opportunities in 2024.
As New England's clear top receiver, Brown should earn well over 100 targets this season. It's crucial that he and Maye are on the same page consistently, and the offseason is the best opportunity to build that connection.
While Brown's locker room antics were often overblown in Philadelphia, his fit in New England will be important to watch. Based on Maye's comments, it seems like the star receiver is fitting in well so far.
Maye and Brown will have plenty of time to work together when the Patriots start training camp later this month. They will need to build up their chemistry before the start of the season. Thankfully, it sounds like that chemistry has already been strong.
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