New England Patriots players have seen the rumors.
It has been a long offseason of trade speculation surrounding the Patriots potentially acquiring star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Those rumors could soon become reality, as the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to move Brown after June 1 when the salary cap implications lessen.
Until then, however, the focus inside the building remains on the players currently on the roster.
“I think it’s part of the NFL. They throw names around here, around every team,
depending on whoever looks best in the graphic in the jersey on social media,” quarterback Drake Maye said. “I’m really just focused. We’ve got some new guys in here that I’m working with. I know there’s a lot of talk with that, but if he ends up being on our team, great. What a great player. And if he doesn’t, we’ve still got to work these guys here. It’s a tough balance, but I know he’s a phenomenal player.”
That work continued Wednesday as the Patriots held their second OTA practice of the spring. Without veterans Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte, Maye’s primary pass catchers included Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III.
Douglas served as Maye’s top target throughout the day, catching four of five passes his direction. Free agent addition Romeo Doubs caught two-of-four targets from Maye, including the quarterback’s first pass of the session, as they continue to build chemistry.
“I kind of have to learn how he likes to do things, how I like to see it when he’s running routes. And I think it’s just going to be better and better,” Maye said. “He’s a great player. He’s already been a great player in this league. So, looking forward to building that connection and finding his role in this offense.”
Maye could soon be building that same on-field connection with Brown as well. That possibility is something Milton Williams — Brown’s former teammate in Philadelphia — knows would benefit the team.
“You see the noise and you see it. Shoot, hell of a player,” Williams said. “He can definitely help our team, but they don’t pay me to [make those decisions].
He added: “Great dude. Monster on the field, great in the locker room, holding guys accountable and holding himself accountable. I feel like that’s everything you want in a player of his caliber.”
