Much was made about A.J. Brown’s chemistry with Jalen Hurts during the final stretch of his run in Philadelphia. So far, things look a lot smoother in New England.
At his youth football camp on Thursday, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was asked what he’s learned from working with A.J. Brown since New England acquired the receiver from the Eagles in June. His answer left little doubt about where things stand.
“It has been awesome,” Maye said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “I’m really looking forward to playing with him. I’m looking forward to getting to camp and building some chemistry. And I know there’s already some there for me. You just gotta throw it near him, and he’ll make a play.”
Mike Reiss posted on X: “Drake Maye, at his @FlexWorkSports camp, on A.J. Brown: Already some chemistry there — just have to throw it near him and he’ll make a play.” —
Drake Maye, at his @FlexWorkSports camp, on A.J. Brown:
Already some chemistry there — just have to throw it near him and he’ll make a play. pic.twitter.com/J0xn1wxamI
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 16, 2026
A Fresh Start After a Frustrating Finish in Philly
Brown is coming off a down season by his own standards. He caught for 1,003 yards in 2025, his lowest total since joining the Eagles, and the year came with plenty of friction. His frustration with Philadelphia’s offense spilled into locker-room comments and social media posts throughout the season, and several drops marked the end of his tenure with the team.
The Eagles traded Brown to New England on June 1, sending him to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder. Waiting until after June 1 let Philadelphia split Brown’s dead-money cap hit across two years rather than absorb it all in 2026. Brown is signed through the 2029 season, and the Patriots inherit the remaining money on that deal.
Maye also hosted several of New England’s receivers, Brown included, for a three-day private workout at his home in North Carolina last week, ahead of the team’s official training camp. Players report to Foxborough on Friday, July 24, with the first practice of camp set for Saturday, July 25.
Why the Fit Makes Sense on Paper
New England spent last season starving for a true No. 1 target. Maye finished second in the NFL in deep passing yards in 2025 despite throwing to a receiver room led by Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, not exactly household names at the position. Brown gives him a big-bodied, downfield threat who has produced at least 1,000 receiving yards in every season since 2021.
The Patriots also released veteran Stefon Diggs in free agency and signed Romeo Doubs, reshaping the receiver room around Brown as the clear focal point. If the chemistry Maye described translates once pads come on, it changes what New England’s offense, coordinated by Josh McDaniels, is capable of asking opposing defenses to defend.
| Player | 2025 Receiving Yards | Team |
|---|---|---|
| A.J. Brown | 1,003 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Drake Maye (Deep Passing Yards Rank) | 2nd in NFL | New England Patriots |
| Stefon Diggs (2025 WR1, since released) | — | New England Patriots |
What Maye Said About Brown as a Teammate
Beyond the on-field promise, Maye pointed to Brown’s presence in the building.
“He’s a great teammate,” Maye said of Brown. “He’s been great so far, and he loves to win. So, we share that.”
That competitive streak is the same trait that fueled Brown’s public frustration in Philadelphia last season. Whether it becomes friction or fuel in New England will start to show once training camp opens and the two are working together under game-speed conditions rather than offseason throwing sessions.
Patriots training camp begins July 25 at Gillette Stadium. Maye and Brown will have the next several weeks to turn offseason optimism into on-field results before New England’s preseason schedule gets underway.
