AJ Brown’s Future Uncertain Amid Coach Updates

On Tuesday, Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni spoke with the media during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, giving an update about star wide receiver AJ Brown. Sirianni mentioned that it’s unclear if Brown will be part of the roster this season.

Then, on Wednesday, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed his relationship with Brown. Notably, Vrabel had been the coach of the Tennessee Titans when they drafted Brown in the second round during the 2022 NFL Draft.

Vrabel has been openly expressive about his connections with his players, especially Brown. “The relationships I have with the players mean a lot, particularly with AJ,” he stated. “I’ve watched him grow, and I’m proud of him as a father and a husband. It’s not tied to where he played before.”

He continued, sharing that they check in with each other during good times and reach out when things aren’t going well. “This is about mutual support and a reminder of why we’re here,” he added.

As previously mentioned, the Patriots might be a suitable fit for Brown, especially considering Vrabel’s encouraging remarks.

Earlier this month, Brown shared his own thoughts on his past relationship with Vrabel during an appearance on the “Dues on Dudes” podcast with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. He admitted to having “hated” him during his early days.

Brown recalled how Vrabel would engage players in meetings, stressing the importance of being prepared. “At the time, I wasn’t his biggest fan, so I used to jot down, ‘I hate Vlaves,’ to make it look like I was taking notes while pretending to be focused,” he explained.

But he later recognized Vrabel’s tough-love approach helped earn him the respect of his teammates. “He showed me plays, and when I scored on one, he praised me, but then he also pushed me to maintain the same energy on every play,” Brown reflected.

He emphasized that Vrabel holds all players accountable, regardless of their position, fostering a team-first mentality. “There’s no one bigger than the team or the program, so that creates a bond,” he noted.

Rumors have circulated about the Patriots potentially signing several wide receivers this offseason. The lingering question remains: Will Brown be their primary target?