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Not everyone believes the New England Patriots are the team to beat in the AFC, despite their unlikely run all the way to the Super Bowl last season.
However, former Patriots longtime rival Bart Scott, a former New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens linebacker, thinks one particular offseason move might have propelled the team to the top of the conference. That move is the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire three-time All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown.
“I think he does [make them the team to beat in the AFC]," Scott said on ESPN's Get Up. "When you talk about what happened in the Super Bowl, they were able to take away their receivers because they didn't have a true No. 1 receiver that can separate and win the 50-50 ball.
"When you think about A.J. Brown, his frustration was that Jalen Hurts would not put the ball at risk. He wouldn't give him the opportunities to make the contested catch. I think you talk about Drake Maye, how successful he was in throwing the ball 20 yards or more. I think he led the league. I think you know he'll put that ball up for AJ Brown. He'll make those catches more times than not.”
Brown was acquired by the Patriots in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles back in June. He is still one of the best contested catch receivers in the NFL. Perhaps the best part from a Patriots perspective is the fact that Maye and Brown appeared to be on the same page throughout the early practices.
The 23-year-old quarterback led the NFL in completion percentage last season, and he was also one of the best deep ball throwers in the league. On paper, it looks like a match made in heaven for Brown, who still hauled in 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns, despite many considering it a down year for the three-time All-Pro.
Now, he'll have an opportunity to surpass those numbers this season, while joining his favorite childhood team, catching passes from one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL and reuniting with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Former rival and longtime critic makes admission on 2026 Patriots team
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However, former Patriots longtime rival Bart Scott, a former New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens linebacker, thinks one particular offseason move might have propelled the team to the top of the conference. That move is the blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire three-time All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown.
“I think he does [make them the team to beat in the AFC]," Scott said on ESPN's Get Up. "When you talk about what happened in the Super Bowl, they were able to take away their receivers because they didn't have a true No. 1 receiver that can separate and win the 50-50 ball.
"When you think about A.J. Brown, his frustration was that Jalen Hurts would not put the ball at risk. He wouldn't give him the opportunities to make the contested catch. I think you talk about Drake Maye, how successful he was in throwing the ball 20 yards or more. I think he led the league. I think you know he'll put that ball up for AJ Brown. He'll make those catches more times than not.”
Brown was acquired by the Patriots in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles back in June. He is still one of the best contested catch receivers in the NFL. Perhaps the best part from a Patriots perspective is the fact that Maye and Brown appeared to be on the same page throughout the early practices.
The 23-year-old quarterback led the NFL in completion percentage last season, and he was also one of the best deep ball throwers in the league. On paper, it looks like a match made in heaven for Brown, who still hauled in 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns, despite many considering it a down year for the three-time All-Pro.
Now, he'll have an opportunity to surpass those numbers this season, while joining his favorite childhood team, catching passes from one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL and reuniting with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Former rival and longtime critic makes admission on 2026 Patriots team
Continue reading...
