A.J. Brown has joined the New England Patriots following months of speculation. The Philadelphia Eagles traded the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to Foxborough. This move fulfills the wishes of both parties, as Brown seeks a fresh start after ending a frustrating 2025 season with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round.
Brown is set to become the Patriots’ primary wide receiver, stepping in for Stefon Diggs, who departed after one year. The Patriots, last season’s AFC champions, aim to reclaim the Super Bowl title. Their defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX has strengthened their resolve.
Rob Gronkowski, a former Patriots legend, believes Brown is crucial to the team’s renewed Super Bowl aspirations. “I think he’s going to be the X factor to put the Patriots back into contention of being in the Super Bowl,” Gronkowski shared with Fox News Digital.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels sees Brown as similar to Gronkowski in terms of playstyle. “There’s a force to the way he plays the game,” McDaniels remarked. Brown’s skill in catching contested passes and consistent 1,000-yard seasons demonstrate his impact on the field.
Gronkowski highlighted a parallel between Brown and former Patriots receiver Randy Moss. Both players sought to join New England during pivotal career moments. “The only similarity I would say he has to Randy Moss – they’re two totally different players,” Gronkowski noted.
Brown’s enthusiasm for joining the Patriots is clear, and Gronkowski sees this as an opportunity for Brown to excel at a high level. Gronkowski appreciates the move, stating, “It was a huge upgrade, a huge get for the Patriots. I really like the move.”
Regarding his personal life, Gronkowski revealed how quality sleep has been critical to his performance since his high school days. He has partnered with Ryde: the functional well-being brand, to promote their SLEEP wellness shot. The product contains ingredients like melatonin and chamomile to support better sleep.
Gronkowski values natural ingredients and supports products that aid in recovery and balance. He stated, “You gotta get sleep if you want to recover, if you want to go hard all day, and you want to do it again the next day.” Ryde’s products are aligned with his lifestyle focus on rest and recovery.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.