New England Patriots acquire A.J. Brown to upgrade red‑zone offense

The New England Patriots completed a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending a 2028 first‑round pick and a 2027 fifth‑round pick for veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown. The move follows a season in which New England ranked 24th in red‑zone efficiency and seeks to give quarterback Drake Maye a true No. 1 target. Patriots officials also added free‑agent Romeo Doubs, offensive lineman Alijah Vera‑Tucker and rookie tight end Eli Raridon, aiming to improve both the passing and running games. Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski praised the acquisition, saying, “I respect that comparison, Josh McDaniels knows what he’s talking about and I understand what he’s saying.” The revamped receiving corps and bolstered line are expected to help the Patriots become a more potent red‑zone threat in 2026.