Patriots' Mike Vrabel addresses possible A.J. Brown red flags after trade with Eagles

Wide receiver A.J. Brown didn't hide over the past two seasons that he often wasn't thrilled with his role in the Philadelphia Eagles' offense. Thus, some have suggested that the Eagles made an addition-by-subtraction move in trading Brown to the New England Patriots via a transaction that became official on Monday. 

While speaking with reporters about the trade on Tuesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about any behind-the-scenes issues Brown could cause for his new employer.

Mike Vrabel likes that A.J. Brown wants to win

"Whatever happens or comes up, I can't say that there's not going to be things that come up with A.J., with any single player," Vrabel explained, per Matt Schooley of CBS Boston. "This is a highly competitive game. Players want to win. Players want to do everything they can to help their team. They want to make sure people are on the right page. So I don't get into a lot of that. I think what's most important is that those things don't carry into the locker room, that they get handled."

The last time Brown played in a meaningful game, he got into a heated exchange with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni during Philadelphia's wild-card playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers this past January. Brown repeatedly voiced his frustrations with his role in the Philadelphia offense from the fall of 2024 through last season, and his relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts deteriorated during their time together. 

"I don't know what happened. I'm not trying to figure out what happened in Philadelphia," Vrabel said on Tuesday. "I'm trying to focus on what's going to happen here and try to get [Brown] acclimated to what we do and how to do it." 

How A.J. Brown has changed since he first played for Mike Vrabel

Vrabel was first Brown's head coach when the two were with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through the 2021 season. Brown recently noted that he and Vrabel "grew close" during their time together, and it's believed their relationship is a big reason the Patriots acquired the 28-year-old this spring. 

"I think he loves football," Vrabel added about Brown, according to Aaliyan Mohammed of NESN. "I think he has a physical skill set. I think he’s got great body control. I think he’s strong at the catch point. But I also think he’s grown as a player and as a receiver."

Mohammed noted that Vrabel also said he doesn't expect to encounter any issues regarding the Patriots having to do anything with Brown's contract. Back in the spring of 2024, Brown signed a three-year, $96M extension.