After an offseason trade from Philadelphia, AJ Brown joined the New England Patriots with the expectation that he could boost the team’s passing game as they chased a return to the Super Bowl. However, Brown’s start with the Patriots was disrupted by an ankle injury, forcing him out early in his debut.
Shortly after, Brown was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four weeks. As the team prepared for Week 6 against the New York Jets, Brown returned to practice, on track to be activated for the first time since his injury. If all goes as planned, he could be activated for the Patriots’ game against the Jets, providing an immediate premium presence for quarterback Drake Maye.
The storyline of Brown’s return adds an intriguing subplot for the Patriots as they try to integrate him into the offense and leverage his playmaking ability. Brown’s previous run with his former team featured him as a dynamic target, pairing with quarterback Jalen Hurts to form one of the league’s most potent duos. In Philadelphia, Brown nearly reached 1,500 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons, earned Pro Bowl honors, and was selected as an All-Pro on multiple occasions. He finished his four-year tenure with the Eagles with 5,034 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns across 62 games, contributing to two NFC Championship appearances and two trips to the Super Bowl.
In the 2024 season, Brown logged 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns for the Eagles. His departure marked a significant change for the Eagles’ passing game, and now he is aiming to make a strong impact with the Patriots as they pursue a championship run later in the season. Brown’s restored availability will be closely watched to determine whether he can recapture the form that made him a top-tier playmaker in the NFL.
