AJ Brown is already handing out praise to Drake Maye, and he’s doing it with the kind of confidence that usually comes from a receiver who knows exactly what he wants from his quarterback.
The New England Patriots wideout appeared on the Up and Adams Show with Kay Adams and talked about the chemistry he’s building with Maye ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Brown didn’t hold back when asked about the young passer.
“He's very special, and I continue to brag on him. He can make any throw, and he really tries to be a perfectionist.
And sometimes I tell him, ‘Just put it in the area. You don't have to try to be perfect.
Patriots WR AJ Brown on QB Drake Maye after a week of training camp:
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 31, 2026
"He's very special, and I continue to brag on him. He can make any throw." 👀@DrakeMaye2 | @Patriots | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/JI4n7DrYmR
You don't have to try to place the ball in my hand 30-40 yards down,'” Brown said.
He expanded on that thought, explaining how Maye is trying to hit him stride for stride deep downfield.
“His mindset is, ‘I'm running down the field,' and he's trying to place the ball in my hand 30-40 yards down the field. Which is really hard to do, but he makes it look very effortless.
And so I'm like, ‘Drake, just throw the ball over in the area. You don't have to be perfect.”
Brown’s move to New England opened a new chapter after four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won a Super Bowl title in 2024. His time in Philadelphia ended when he was traded to the Patriots for draft compensation.
For New England, the Brown-Maye connection is part of a bigger push. The Patriots are trying to build on a 14-3 season and become the first team from the American Football League to reach 600 lifetime wins. They’re also chasing a return to the Super Bowl after finishing as runners-up last season against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Patriots open the year on the road in a Super Bowl rematch with Seattle on Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET.
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