A.J. Brown’s high-ankle sprain has the New England Patriots staring at at least three games without the receiver they spent the offseason bringing in to reshape Drake Maye’s offense. That’s a real blow, especially for a unit that has managed just 24 points in two games, not counting the defensive touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
But Brown’s absence may also force another offseason addition into a larger spotlight: Romeo Doubs.
New England signed Doubs to a four-year, $68 million deal, and his first game in a Patriots uniform was rough. He finished with no catches on three targets and also had an inexcusable drop in the fourth quarter.
A week later, though, he looked far more like the player the Patriots expected. Against Pittsburgh, while working as the No. 1 target, Doubs caught three passes on four targets and piled up a career-high 96 receiving yards.
That kind of response matters. Doubs gives Maye a versatile target who can move around the formation and create problems near the goal line.
He also brings a track record there; he led the Green Bay Packers in touchdown receptions in two of his four seasons with them. With Brown drawing attention when he eventually returns, Doubs should be able to do damage as the kind of complementary piece who can take advantage of the space Brown creates.
For now, Brown’s injury pushes Doubs into a much bigger role, and that may help New England in the long run. He gets more reps carrying real weight in the offense, and more chances to build timing with Maye.
Doubs is not being asked to become Brown’s exact replacement. He is not the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver, and the drops that followed him from Green Bay are still part of the picture. But as a No. 2 option, he looks like a strong fit, and he could wind up being a major part of whatever success New England finds once Brown is back and absorbing the attention that makes everyone else’s job easier.
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From there, the opportunity to make a bigger swing never materialized. Kyle Pitts had been discussed as a possible trade target for the Patriots, but Atlanta kept him and then extended him, even as his 2026 start has drawn fresh scrutiny around that decision. For New England, the result is another reminder that the tight end room remains unresolved, and the offseason move meant to stabilize it may already be behind schedule. [Read more 🡒]