In the wake of a lopsided 29-13 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60, questions about the New England Patriots’ quarterback Drake Maye’s supporting cast have intensified. Maye, a 23-year-old second-year signal-caller, excelled in the regular season but struggled during the playoffs, highlighting a need for a true No. 1 receiver. Stefon Diggs topped the Patriots with 1,013 receiving yards, yet he largely operated as a slot option, leaving Maye’s deep-ball preferences underserviced.
A recent Bleacher Report trade proposal from Moe Moton suggests a remedy: acquire A.J. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler who has reached 367 receptions for 5,034 yards with the Eagles over four seasons. Brown reportedly requested a trade this past season, and Moton argues that a change of scenery could suit both Brown and Maye, given Maye’s strength on deep targets compared to Hurts’ offense.
Under the proposed plan, New England would part with its 95th overall pick (third round) along with cornerback Carlton Davis III, who signed a three-year, $54 million contract with the Patriots. Moton notes Davis’s 2023 contributing role and his 10 pass breakups in his first season in New England as a potential asset for the Eagles’ secondary.
If executed, the move would position Diggs as a complementary No. 2 option behind Brown, giving Maye a dynamic two-receiver pairing capable of attacking all levels of the field. The proposal underscores the Patriots’ immediate offseason priority: improve the passing game around Maye to preserve his upside and contend promptly in 2026 and beyond.
