When the New England Patriots traded a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick for A. J. Brown, it seemed they had solved one of their biggest issues from 2025. The lack of a premier threat at wide receiver. Through seven games, the trade is already starting to look like a disaster for the Patriots.
In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, he caught 3 passes for 26 yards before leaving the game with a high ankle sprain. He was placed on Injured Reserve and missed the next four weeks. He returned last week against the New York Jets, catching three more passes for 27 yards. The most notable aspect of his game against the Jets was drops; he was rusty, and it showed.
This week against the Chicago Bears, he caught three passes again, this time for 48 yards. The Patriots ultimately lost 30-24. Frankly, if the Patriots want to return to the Super Bowl, Brown needs to be better.
This isn’t just on Brown; the entire Patriots receiving corps has been either injured or ineffective. Last night, running back Rhamondre Stevenson led the team in receiving, catching 5 for 93 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Hunter Henry had 7 receptions for 71 yards. Tight end Eli Raridon caught 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown.
The issues at wide receiver don’t stop with Brown’s inefficiency. The team signed free agent wide receiver Romeo Doubs this offseason. Doubs has had an okay start to his New England career, catching 14 passes for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns, but he sustained a shoulder injury in the win over the Jets last week. On Tuesday, head coach Mike Vrabel said that he doesn’t have a timetable for his return.
Mack Hollins started the season strong, catching 15 passes for 209 yards in the team’s first four games. However, he suffered a calf injury and has been on injured reserve ever since. New England really can’t catch a break, and it’s forced 2025 undrafted free agent Efton Chism to get significant playing time. That was great when the team defeated the Bills on a Chism touchdown catch, but he’s not a consistent receiving threat.
Brown addressed his poor play following the game.
“I’m a vet. I understand how the game goes. It’s just how the game is,” He said “I know the type of player I am, and I know that’s always the case. Every time I line up, I get a lot of attention, so teams try to take me away.
That’s a fair point, but the Patriots’ other receivers haven’t really been able to capitalize on Brown’s presence. We’ll see if the unit can get things right against the currently winless Miami Dolphins next week.
