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AJ Brown is already working with his New England Patriots teammates after months of trade rumors led the Philadelphia Eagles to finally ship the three-time Pro Bowl receiver to Foxborough.
It’s a marriage both sides were looking for, with Brown’s frustrating 2025 campaign ending in a Wild Card Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers at home. He now becomes the team’s top receiver with Stefon Diggs out after just one year.
The Patriots are the defending AFC champions, although they failed to capture another ring after the Seattle Seahawks beat them in Super Bowl LX earlier this year. But they hope the addition of Brown, to go along with their young and dynamic team, is what they need to come back.
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown warms up during training camp at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 24, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
One Patriots legend thinks he’s the key to at least getting them back into contention.
“I think he’s going to be the
AJ BROWN’S COMMERCIAL RESULT: DIANNA RUSSINI PAID A HEAVY PRICE WHILE MIKE VRABEL ESCAME UNHARMED
“That’s all you can ask for preseason. That’s all you can ask for the season, there’s no doubt about it. To get back to the Super Bowl, you have to improve your roster, and there’s no doubt AJ Brown is the upgrade they needed.”
“Gronk” has been brought up before when it comes to Brown in a Patriots uniform, although they don’t play the same positions. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who used Gronkowski extremely well during their time together in New England, said recently that Brown is “the closest thing” he’s ever seen to Gronkowski.
“There’s a strength in the way he plays…maybe the closest thing I’ve seen is Gronk,” McDaniels told reporters earlier this month. “He’s a big guy.”
Brown’s ability to win contested catches has been one of his calling cards, and it’s why he’s always said he’s always open even if a defender is wrapped around him. That physical game is something the Patriots can use, along with Brown’s route-running prowess that has led to four straight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards.
AJ Brown of the New England Patriots sprints during minicamp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 9, 2026. (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Gronkowski also saw a change in the Patriots when they landed a receiver named Randy Moss in 2007, with whom the tight end also sees a key similarity.
“The only similarity I would say with Randy Moss is that they are two totally different players. Totally built differently,” Gronkowski explained. “But they’re both great No. 1 receivers. They had a tough year – I wouldn’t really say a tough year. And then they both wanted to go to the New England Patriots. That’s the similarity I see between Randy Moss and AJ Brown.
“I think he’s going to be really focused. This is a dream team for him. He’s always been a New England Patriots fan, even when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He admitted that as well. So, I think he’s going to be tuned in and ready to go. He’s still young enough to give it his all and go out there and produce at the highest level.
“It was a huge improvement, a huge win for the Patriots. I really like the decision.”
Rob Gronkowski attends WrestleMania 42 Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Quality sleep is essential for Gronk
It was in high school that Gronkowski realized how underrated sleep quality was for an aspiring athlete. He needed to take a nap before every basketball game he played after school, and it was a habit that followed him throughout his college and professional football career.
After all, someone like Gronkowski, an animal on and off the field, needs to be well rested and recovered to keep going all these years.
This is why Gronkowski was delighted to Ryde partner: the functional wellness brand, and are helping to preach how their new two-ounce SLEEP Wellness Shot is aimed at users looking to fall asleep faster at night, while also promoting sleep quality.
“It just fits my lifestyle,” Gronkowski said. “It’s a very organic opportunity that fits my daily goals. It’s all about being balanced. It’s also about recovery, and that’s what this SLEEP shot does for me. You have to sleep if you want to recover, if you want to go hard all day, and you want to do it again the next day and the day after that. You have to sleep and that’s why Ryde: SLEEP comes in to help me recover.”
Ryde has launched its new SLEEP shot, designed to help users improve their sleep quality while waking up refreshed for the day. Rob Gronkowski, the legendary NFL tight end, teamed up with the company to introduce the new product. (Ryder)
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Between fan-favorite SLEEP and FOCUS shots, Gronkowski knows he’s putting natural ingredients into his body, emphasizing that it’s “all natural.” SLEEP uses melatonin, GABA, L-theanine, and chamomile to help users relax, and Gronkowski finds it perfect for her daily routine.
“This is the first time I’ve really talked about being a sleep advocate and I really believe in it,” he said. “I’ve always taken naps because I’m a big believer in sleep. If I get a full night’s sleep, I don’t really need to take as many naps. That’s where Ryde: SLEEP comes in. I can sleep a full night and be ready to go the next day.”
