A.J. Brown officially joined the New England Patriots after being traded from the Eagles for a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-round pick. The star wide receiver expressed overwhelming excitement, calling his first day in Foxborough "close to heaven." Brown had long dreamed of playing for New England, particularly after being passed over in the 2019 draft when they selected N'Keal Harry instead of him.

Brown will wear No. 1 instead of his usual No. 11, saying he has too much respect for Patriots Hall of Famer Julian Edelman to take that number. He declined to discuss his exit from Philadelphia, stating "moving forward" and that past issues don't matter. The eighth-year receiver emphasized his knee is healthy and he's ready to contribute immediately to the defending AFC Champions.

Brown declined to lead players in the stretch line during his first practice, saying he wants to earn respect before taking on leadership responsibilities. When asked how much he has left in the tank, he simply replied "You'll see" with a smile. His arrival significantly upgrades New England's receiving corps for the upcoming season.