Well ahead of the Patriots' trade for AJ Brown, and even in the days since it was completed, there has been a lot of conversation about what the receiver can bring to the Patriots' offense and whether the deal was a good decision or a risky move in hopes of repeating last season's success.
Within that discussion have been concerns about what version of Brown New England is getting, since he recorded his lowest receiving yards since the 2021 season. There have also been voiced concerns about the health of his knee, and although he's seemingly shut that down, it might not be enough for some fans.
That just means we'll have to wait and see how he performs on the field, and from the limited view we've had during OTAs, there's no reason to be concerned about his knee.
That doesn't quiet the worries about whether he will be the kind of player the Patriots' offense has long needed, and unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit longer to see if those concerns are valid.
Before that, though, we're hearing from Brown's former teammate, Jason Kelce, who had a lot to say about the receiver's trade and shut down one of the biggest talking points following him to Foxboro.
Jason Kelce had a lot to say about the Patriots trading with the Eagles for AJ Brown
During a recent episode of his "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Travis, Kelce made his feelings known about the Eagles trading away their former WR1, giving his blessing to both teams for the move.
Within that conversation, Kelce shut down the idea that Brown has "lost a step" and predicted he will have a great first season in New England.
"At the end of the day, it was not a surprise. I think A.J., very clearly, made it known that he's been frustrated the last few years. From everything coming out, it sounds like he wanted and was excited to move on, and I think it was in everyone's best interest.
Here's the reality: A.J. Brown was not the reason the Eagles' offense was not successful last year. He's a very good football player. I don't want to hear all this, 'Has he lost a step?' We're gonna find out this year. I think he's gonna have a really good year."
That's all Patriots fans should need to hear, coming from someone who knows Brown really well and saw him at practice over four years.
New England is already considered a contender for the AFC East title and potentially making another Super Bowl run because of Brown's arrival, and there are even predictions that Maye will contend for the MVP Award again.
If that's not a sign that there is a lot of confidence in what the receiver will do to start his Patriots career, it's difficult to say what would be.
The sky is the limit for what Josh McDaniels can do with his first WR1in New England since Julian Edelman in 2020. There's an argument to be made about Stefon Diggs, of course, but Brown is younger and more explosive at this point, so he's a different player.
Regardless, they will be an exciting group to watch this fall, and certainly an offense that the Patriots' biggest rivals will be paying close attention to, especially if Brown explodes early in the year.
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