Joint practices are always a fun part of any offseason, and for the Patriots this year, they made things really interesting by setting up back-to-back days with the Eagles ahead of their Week 2 preseason matchup.
As if it weren't already a must-see practice because both teams are legitimate contenders in their conferences, the fact that the Patriots acquired A.J. Brown from the Eagles earlier this summer made it all the more intriguing, especially because things didn't end so amicably between the receiver and his former team.
The expectation was that once reunited in Foxboro, their interactions would make front-page news, and although there were certainly some moments that are headline-worthy, like Brown's incredible performance against the Eagles' top secondary, nothing quite matches up with the message that Drake Maye sent with his choices when the offense was on the field.
Because there is still a lot of negativity being spouted from Eagles fans who are upset with how Brown got himself traded, particularly to the team he was hoping for, there are many who believe it's only a matter of time before things get sour between the quarterback and his new top option.
While that's certainly possible, it's too early to draw any conclusions. Instead, many Philly fans have shifted their take to suggest Brown isn't as good as he once was, and that it will show early in his New England tenure.
The problem is, we haven't seen anything to believe that yet, and maybe we should make sure the Eagles see up close and personal that it's not only not a concern, but it's also not even a thought in his or anyone's mind at this point.
Drake Maye and A.J. Brown's growing chemistry was on full display at Patriots' joint practice with the Eagles
After a slow start upon joining the team in June, the connection between Brown and Maye has been on fire recently, and they might have had their best practice to date when the Eagles were in town.
Brown was targeted the most of any other receiver, which hasn't been the case at every practice, since Kayshon Boutte has been Maye's favorite target most days, but it's clear why there was a change on Wednesday, and that's exactly the kind of energy we need from this year's Patriots team.
That placement 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/0H1X6UoVNj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 19, 2026
By the end of practice, Brown made seven catches, many of which were impressive one-handed grabs or just completely "Mossing" the defender who was covering him.
It was perhaps the loudest message sent to his former team and their fanbase, who have consistently been very vocal about him being a washed-up player, that they're happy he's off the team. Based on what we saw on the field on Wednesday, they shouldn't feel so confident with that assertion.
It could be argued that Jalen Hurts' performance clearly showed how much he misses Brown, as he threw three interceptions that day and struggled with misthrows and poor decisions.
Things will presumably look different with DeVonta Smith back on the field, and whenever rookie Makai Lemon is able to return from injury. But it wouldn't be unfair to suggest that Hurts' performance could still see a dip in Brown's absence, as he was his primary target over the last four years.
That's a luxury that Maye will have now, and we're already seeing just how good that connection is going to be. It's brought a lot of excitement about what the Patriots can accomplish in 2026, especially after a season that ended with a Super Bowl appearance, and that should make opponents nervous this fall.
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