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AJ Brown has already made a strong impression on his new team.
The New England Patriots’ new wide receiver received praise Tuesday from head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. In fact, after seeing Brown practice for the first time since the Patriots traded him on Monday, McDaniels compared the star to one of the greatest Patriots players of all time.
“There’s a strength in the way he plays…Maybe the closest thing I’ve seen is Gronk,” McDaniels told reporters, referring to former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. “He’s a big guy.”
Gronkowski became synonymous with the Patriots’ physical identity during his career, dominating defenders with his size, strength and presence in the red zone. Gronkowski recorded 79 touchdown receptions in his nine seasons with the Patriots, as New England hopes Brown can be its next big threat in the red zone.
Vrabel believes Brown can not only succeed in that role, but he also believes the wide receiver can provide New England’s offense with a similar upside to Gronkowski.
“I think he loves football,” Vrabel told reporters Tuesday. “I think he has a physical skill set. I think he has great body control. I think he’s strong at the catching point, but I also think he’s grown as a player and a wide receiver.”
Vrabel witnessed Brown’s development firsthand. He coached Brown for three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, seeing the 2019 second-round pick quickly become one of the best pass catchers in the NFL. While the two team up again for the first time since 2021, Vrabel still has a unique understanding of what Brown can bring on and off the court.
“Just the nuances of the release versus the press or the game versus the bracketed coverage,” Vrabel said. “[Brown] He plays physical with the football and has been a productive, physical player.”
Brown’s ability to overpower defenders while creating separation has made him one of the toughest matchups in the league at the position. That type of talent helped Brown record six 1,000-yard seasons in his first seven years, reaching that threshold again in 2025 in what many thought would be a bad season for the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver.
Vrabel believes these traits can help elevate the Patriots’ offense as the team looks to make another Super Bowl in 2026.
“I’m just excited to add this player,” Vrabel said. “I know the football team is looking forward to having him in practice and getting acclimated, whatever that looks like today.
For Brown, reuniting with Vrabel and officially being traded to the Patriots hasn’t fully sunk in yet. He described the move as almost “heaven,” capturing how surreal the moment was now that it has come true.
“I’m just trying to understand everything as much as possible,” Brown told reporters. “Obviously, I got back to work quickly, but there are levels. I enjoy it. Obviously, I know it’s not heaven, but it’s close.”
