2 reasons Patriots’ blockbuster A.J. Brown trade will blow up in their face

The New England Patriots finally got their man, dealing for wide receiver AJ Brown. And some folks are calling it a big win. However, here are two reasons why the Patriots’ blockbuster trade for AJ Brown will blow up in their faces.

The Patriots gave up draft picks to get the deal done, according to a post on X by Adam Schefter.

“ESPN sources: The Eagles are trading Pro-Bowl WR A.J. Brown to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick that is the better of New England’s two fifths. The deal that has been speculated on for weeks now finally is happening. Brown and Patriots HC Mike Vrabel are reuniting.”

It sure looks like this could be the final piece that puts the Patriots over the top. They came close to winning the Super Bowl last year with a lesser receiver group. But there are two big issues.

Reason #1: WR AJ Brown won’t be happy with the Patriots, either

The target numbers tell the story of Brown. He received 145 targets in 2022 and added 158 the next year. All was well, and Brown was happy.

However, in the year the Eagles won the Super Bowl, Brown played in fewer games and totaled only 97 targets. There were grumblings and complaints. That carried over to 2025, despite Brown receiving 121 targets in 2025.

Now he goes to the Patriots, where he will certainly be showered with targets. To an extent. And that’s the problem.

Brown will turn 29 years old later this month. He’s not at the age where a player gets that many targets. In other words, he’s not Jerry Rice or Larry Fitzgerald.

This isn’t meant to diminish Brown’s abilities. He’s a tremendous receiver. But the Patriots will do things to help them win football games. And that’s a problem for Brown.

Why? Because he’s the only legitimate elite threat. Defenses will scheme to take him away. He no longer has DeVonta Smith as a running mate.

NFL defensive coordinators will see Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins. And they will say, “Yeah, Brown ain’t beating us today.”

Last year, Brown whined while receiving 10 targets or fewer through his first eight games. In the next four games, he was targeted 10 or more times. And the Eagles suffered as a team with Brown getting more targets. They were 6-2 in the first eight games. They went 1-3 in the games with more targets for Brown.

Brown became a distraction. And that’s why the Eagles were willing to trade him. Brown was very vocal about his dissatisfaction, according to ESPN.

“Brown made it crystal clear through his words and actions that he was unhappy in the Eagles’ offense, to the point that it became impossible to ignore,” Tim McManus wrote. “As one league source with ties to the Eagles put it, ‘I don’t feel they want drama anymore.’ ”

Reason #2: The Patriots already have a team issue with HC Mike Vrabel

Anybody who thinks the Vrabel-Diana Russini saga will just go away once the season starts is hoping for a mirage. Perhaps if the Patriots jump out of the gates with a 10-0 start, things might be OK.

But it’s far more likely that the Patriots lose a couple of early games they shouldn’t lose. Like last year to the Raiders and Steelers. And that’s when Vrabel’s tenuous hold on the locker room will become magnified. There’s a respect factor that will be lacking.

Now, combine Brown’s team-shredding tactics along with Vrabel not being able to hold the pulse of the team.

It’s a recipe for disaster. Plain and simple.

And if Russini decides to speak, things could get worse for Vrabel in a hurry, according to NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk via timesofindia.com.

“The one thing that has yet to happen is that Dianna Russini has yet to tell her story, and we have no idea,” Florio said. “There’s been nothing. No leaks. No scoops.

“There’s going to be a chapter of this that is very public and interesting because she’s going to tell her story at some point. That’s the next thing. That’s the only thing left.”

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