A.J. Brown joins Patriots, says knee fine and switches to No. 1 jersey

Wide receiver A.J. Brown was traded to the New England Patriots for a 2028 first‑round pick and a 2027 fifth‑round pick. Patriots staff inspected his “degenerative” knee and medical personnel cleared him, with Brown telling reporters, “No injury. Nothing to worry about.” Coach Mike Vrabel added that the team will manage his workload based on his “body of work and availability.”

After arriving in New England, Brown changed his jersey number from 11 to 1, a nod to his college days at Ole Miss. Fans mocked the switch on social media, labeling the move “insufferable” and questioning his aura. Brown explained that former teammate Julian Edelman offered him the number 11, but he chose 1 to “create my own legacy.”