Tom Brady addresses A.J. Brown red flags after Patriots-Eagles trade

After months of speculation, the New England Patriots officially acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in early June. 

Concerns about whether or not Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye can keep Brown happy through the 2026 season will likely hover over the organization for at least the next handful of months. During the latest edition of the "New Heights" podcast, retired quarterback and current Fox NFL in-game analyst Tom Brady addressed Brown's working relationship with his new club. 

Why A.J. Brown may have "a little more satisfaction" with Patriots

"A.J. wanted to be involved," Brady said about Brown, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "I covered a lot of those Eagles games. That passing offense isn’t — that’s not what that team’s known for. So now he’s actually going to a team where they are more known for their passing offense. So, you know, there will be maybe a little more satisfaction from him from that standpoint."

Brown repeatedly voiced his frustrations with his role in the Eagles' offense from the fall of 2024 through last season. Brown's relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts seemingly deteriorated over that time, and Brown got into a heated exchange with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni during what became the wideout's final game as a Philadelphia player.  

Tom Brady: Receivers need extra attention 

The perception exists that certain receivers are "divas" who become unhappy whenever they don't get their desired number of targets over multiple games. Brady dealt with all kinds of personalities during his lengthy career and, thus, knows plenty about trying to keep everyone in a locker room focused on the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl. 

"I think that’s the only position on offense that requires a lot of extra energy and attention," Brady added about wide receivers. "Because the running backs are gonna touch the ball. The line, they’re gonna be engaged in every play. The tight ends, run or pass, you’re gonna be engaged in every play. It’s the receivers who stand, you know, 25 yards from the ball, just talking smack with the (defensive backs). Trying to figure out, 'Alright, I ran my a-- off and didn’t get the ball, and how do I stay locked in and committed to the team when I don’t touch the ball?'"

Vrabel and the Patriots clearly believe Brown will stay locked in from September up until New England plays its final game of the upcoming season. If a different scenario plays out, the Eagles may eventually be seen as the big winners of this particular trade.