Edelman gives reason why A.J. Brown will dominate with Patriots

A.J. Brown has held court as one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers for years.

And now as the featured pass-catcher for Drake Maye in Foxborough, Brown is again expected to stuff the stat sheet during the 2026 season. 

Count Patriots legend Julian Edelman among those who think that Brown is going to make a sizable impact on a New England team that fell just a game short of a Super Bowl title in 2025. 

“A.J. Brown, that’s a 1A. A real 1A. They probably haven’t had someone like that since Randy Moss,” Edelman told NBC Sports’ Tom E. Curran on the “Patriots Talk” Podcast. Drake taking control out there and having a lot more weapons. Bringing in Romeo Doubs. The new tight end [Eli Raridon] looked big. I like the additions they brought in.”

Brown’s own talents and the tantalizing potential of matching the productive wideout with an elite QB like Maye is evidence enough that the veteran receiver is going to torment opposing secondaries this fall. 

Before he arrived in New England earlier this summer, the 29-year-old surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in six of his seven full seasons in the NFL. He helped the Eagles earn two trips to the Super Bowl during his four years there — earning three All-Pro nods and recording 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns over those 62 games with Philly. 

But Edelman was quick to credit Patriots longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as one of the main reasons he thinks New England’s top offseason pickup is ready to dominate in the coming months. 

Over multiple stints in New England, McDaniels has had several talented wideouts elevate their respective games — due in large part to crafting a thorough offensive scheme that plays to said player’s strengths.

“You look at Randy Moss his first year [with the Patriots], he had 23 touchdowns with Josh. He knows how to get the ball to receivers,” Edelman said. “My first year being featured? I had 105 catches. Josh is a very creative offensive coordinator who knows how to get focal points [of an offense] the ball. I anticipate a huge year [for Brown]. 

“I anticipate [McDaniels] putting [Brown] into a whole bunch of different spots. A.J. is a smart and versatile player. Josh knows how to work with those guys.”

Speaking last week, Brown doled out plenty of praise toward McDaniels and the rapport they’ve developed since arriving in Foxborough in June. 

“Josh is incredible, man. He’s making my job a lot easier,” Brown said. “He’s creating matchups for me, moving me around. I already shared too much already that I’m gonna get in trouble for. He’s a very detailed coach.

“Just meeting with him, just trying to get on the same page, and seeing it as fast as he sees it. I think he’s been in this offense for like 25 years, so he has a check for every little thing the defense throws at you, which is a positive. But a lot of information for me to take in.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.