The Patriots made it all the way to the Super Bowl last season.
And somehow, Drake Maye might have an even better offense around him now.
The biggest reason is A.J. Brown.
New England acquired Brown from Philadelphia this offseason, giving up a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-rounder to land one of the NFL’s most established receivers.
That’s a serious price.
But Brown could be exactly what this offense was missing.
Even in what was considered a disappointing 2025 season, Brown caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. He has now topped 1,000 receiving yards in six of his seven NFL seasons.
Now imagine him with Maye.
Maye was one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks throwing downfield last season, leading qualified passers in completion percentage, success rate and passer rating on throws of at least 10 air yards. Brown, meanwhile, has consistently been one of the league’s most productive receivers on those same types of throws.
That combination could be scary.
Brown is 6-foot-1, 226 pounds and gives Maye a physical target who can win against press coverage, make contested catches and turn short passes into explosive plays after the catch.
But his impact could go beyond his own numbers.
Defenses have to respect Brown.
Safeties can’t constantly focus on Maye’s other weapons when Brown is isolated outside. Corners are going to need help. And that could create more opportunities for Romeo Doubs, Hunter Henry and the rest of New England’s offense.
There’s also the Mike Vrabel connection.
Brown played his first three NFL seasons under Vrabel in Tennessee, so New England isn’t bringing in a superstar its head coach knows nothing about. Brown has already started emerging as a veteran leader in the Patriots locker room.
The Patriots went 14-3 and reached the Super Bowl without him last season.
Now Maye gets one of the most accomplished receivers in football.
If Brown is still capable of playing anywhere close to his best, New England’s passing game just became significantly more dangerous.
And after coming one win away from a championship last season, that might be exactly what the Patriots needed to get over the hump.
