Why Eagles Wideout, Potential Target Impressed Star Patriots Defender

The New England Patriots need upgrades across the board. How likely is it that a former Mike Vrabel connection could become available.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown played for Vrabel for three seasons with the Tennessee Titans before a trade at the 2022 NFL Draft sent him to the NFC East.

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez matched up against Brown in the 2023 season opener when the Eagles held on for a narrow win at Gillette Stadium. The game showed that Gonzalez could indeed play as a No. 1 cornerback and also showed him what he’d face at the next level.

“A.J. Brown doesn’t get enough credit as to what he puts out there,” Gonzalez told NBC’s “Pro Football Talk” Wednesday. “He’s big, fast, strong, extremely smart. You can see him processing, looking, scanning the defense. Things like that.”

Gonzalez added that competing with Brown was a “fun matchup” in his NFL debut. He’d likely have far more fun on the same team with him. Brown will play in his second Super Bowl with the Eagles on Sunday in New Orleans, rumors swirled recently that the wideout could be on the trade market once again.

If he were to become available, the Patriots should be sprinting to the phone to negotiate with Philadelphia to add a true outside weapon.