The New England Patriots haven't gotten much contribution from A.J. Brown this season, but Mike Vrabel isn't panicking about the offseason acquisition. Brown has caught just nine of 20 targets for 101 yards in three games.
The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver registered a season-high 48 yards in last Thursday's 30-24 loss to the Chicago Bears. During Monday's weekly radio interview on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show, Vrabel said he isn't worried about Brown's slow start. "No, I don’t have any concern," Vrabel said.
"No." Brown missed four games with a high ankle sprain suffered in his Patriots debut before returning to post 27 yards in Week 6. He's averaged 15.3 yards per catch throughout his career but hasn't had a reception over 18 yards in 2026. Although Brown hasn't looked like the same star who dominated for Vrabel's Tennessee Titans, the head coach believes the 29-year-old just needs to re-find his footing.
"I thought that he dropped a few passes, and then the other night there was a contested catch that — I’ve seen him make those plays in the past, I’ve seen those plays get called for DPI, and I've seen those plays be good plays by the defense down the field," Vrabel said. "So, I don’t think anybody has to press here or anything else. I think we just have to get back into a rhythm offensively with the guys that we have." Brown returning to form would be a huge plus for Drake Maye and a New England offense that's looked much sharper in recent weeks.
The Patriots will look to bounce back from their Week 7 loss when they face the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
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