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New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel talked about the early connection between quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver A.J. Brown. He called it a "work in progress" when speaking with media members about what he's seen in the early practices.
Maye, the runner-up for the 2025 NFL MVP award, has come a long way from his rookie 2024 season. He is reading defenses better and pushing the ball downfield at a far more successful rate. Pairing him with a three-time All-Pro wide receiver like Brown could be exactly what's needed to get him to that next level in Year 3.
“They found each other a couple times yesterday in the red zone," Vrabel said. "I think that’s a work in progress... That connection is critical to rely on. A quarterback and receiver have to be on the same page. Practice is critical, the reps are critical.
"Sometimes when you get players that have had success in this league, and they come onto your team, you get an opportunity to learn maybe what’s worked for them and what they’ve been able to pick up over the years of doing it. So, there’s some professional initiative. We have that in every facet of our program… I think that’ll happen with Drake and AJ as well. That there’ll be some things that maybe he’s done before, and he likes, and there’ll be things that we add new to him.”
One area where Brown has clearly already made a difference is in the red zone.
He has already proven to be a physical force that Maye can go to when the field shortens. The two connected on a beautiful back-shoulder pass for a touchdown during one practice. There was also a ridiculous throw and catch where Maye put a perfect ball away from the defender, and Brown spun around, went up for it and managed to get his feet in bounds for a touchdown.
The fact that Maye and Brown have connected so quickly is obviously a positive development for the Patriots.
However, the real test will be in training camp when the pads come on and the competition intensifies. The summer practices ahead of the 2026 regular season kick off on July 25.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Mike Vrabel makes admission on early Drake Maye, A.J. Brown connection
Continue reading...
Maye, the runner-up for the 2025 NFL MVP award, has come a long way from his rookie 2024 season. He is reading defenses better and pushing the ball downfield at a far more successful rate. Pairing him with a three-time All-Pro wide receiver like Brown could be exactly what's needed to get him to that next level in Year 3.
“They found each other a couple times yesterday in the red zone," Vrabel said. "I think that’s a work in progress... That connection is critical to rely on. A quarterback and receiver have to be on the same page. Practice is critical, the reps are critical.
"Sometimes when you get players that have had success in this league, and they come onto your team, you get an opportunity to learn maybe what’s worked for them and what they’ve been able to pick up over the years of doing it. So, there’s some professional initiative. We have that in every facet of our program… I think that’ll happen with Drake and AJ as well. That there’ll be some things that maybe he’s done before, and he likes, and there’ll be things that we add new to him.”
One area where Brown has clearly already made a difference is in the red zone.
He has already proven to be a physical force that Maye can go to when the field shortens. The two connected on a beautiful back-shoulder pass for a touchdown during one practice. There was also a ridiculous throw and catch where Maye put a perfect ball away from the defender, and Brown spun around, went up for it and managed to get his feet in bounds for a touchdown.
The fact that Maye and Brown have connected so quickly is obviously a positive development for the Patriots.
However, the real test will be in training camp when the pads come on and the competition intensifies. The summer practices ahead of the 2026 regular season kick off on July 25.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Mike Vrabel makes admission on early Drake Maye, A.J. Brown connection
Continue reading...
