PATRIOTS NEWS OFFICIAL: Patriots Finally Acquire AJ Brown

[patfanken]

Yea but holdouts suck. Id offer gonzo 33 a year and if thats not good enough let's deal. Pats can get at least 2 1s and a good player
They have 2 good corners and 2 good safetys
But I would hope he signs for 33 a year

I hope you understand that even if Gonzo signs a 4 year $33MM/yr deal, his salary for next year is STILL going to be around $4MM. It's an EXTENTION. It goes into effect in 2029. The only new money that Gonzo gets will be in his signing bonus and as far as his cap number goes for this year AFTER he signs will be $4MM + however they split up the signing bonus over the length of the contract. So Gonzo regardless of how much he signs for will have a very reasonable cap number this year and a higher, but not top 10 number in 27, the end of his rookie deal.

And while I would love to have him at the OTA's, I hold no animus toward him for missing the voluntary stuff. If I were his father, I'd tell him to do nothing voluntary until he signs. He'd be crazy to risk injury without a contract. I'd probably tell him to show up on time, but not practice for the same reason. No one is going to give him a $30MM signing bonus if he gets hurt doing shorts and T-shirt football. It's a long shot, I know, but it happens enough that he'd be crazy to take a chance.

It shouldn't be looked at as a "holdout", but just common sense and NOT looked down on.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

in the 2027-2028 season, pats better not finish in bottom 12 or this would have been a terrible trade.
The possibility now exists that we traded a top 10 pick for an aging AJ Brown.

The trade should not have been made unless you knew what #pick the first rounder was

This "they better not have a bad outcome or it would have been a bad move in future retrospect" stuff is weird to me. It can always be a mistake. I love to talk this stuff into the ground but once the staff pulls the trigger, you have to figure the pros have done more homework than us. I guess you're thinking that our 28 pick will be really good because in reality we're a terrible team and if we try to get better that's dangerous too because our future draft pick is so valuable because we're so bad.

But the substance of your post is well taken. We're getting a younger Diggs in terms of production, unless with Drake Maye he gets different numbers. But the thing is, Diggs is already there. The answer to replacing Diggs can't be Diggs.

Is that worth a 2028 first rounder? To me, only if brown's numbers pop after the relocation.

 

[rads2005]

1st rounders are important, but AJ Brown is a known high level commodity and we have the cap space. I tend to think his knee holds out at least 2 years, at which point the Pats can save a significant amount of money with releasing him.

Patriots first round draft picks since 2014:

2014- Dominique Easley
2015- Malcom Brown
2016- No pick
2017- No pick
2018- Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel
2019- N'Keal Harry
2020- No Pick
2021- Mac Jones
2022- Cole Strange
2023- Christian Gonzalez
2024- Drake Maye
2025- Will Campbell
2026- Caleb Lomu

11 picks. 6 outright busts.
A 7th player, Sony Michel, was an important contributor to the SB his rookie season, but overall a semi-bust.

 

[Brady85-23]

I hope you understand that even if Gonzo signs a 4 year $33MM/yr deal, his salary for next year is STILL going to be around $4MM. It's an EXTENTION. It goes into effect in 2029. The only new money that Gonzo gets will be in his signing bonus and as far as his cap number goes for this year AFTER he signs will be $4MM + however they split up the signing bonus over the length of the contract. So Gonzo regardless of how much he signs for will have a very reasonable cap number this year and a higher, but not top 10 number in 27, the end of his rookie deal.

And while I would love to have him at the OTA's, I hold no animus toward him for missing the voluntary stuff. If I were his father, I'd tell him to do nothing voluntary until he signs. He'd be crazy to risk injury without a contract. I'd probably tell him to show up on time, but not practice for the same reason. No one is going to give him a $30MM signing bonus if he gets hurt doing shorts and T-shirt football. It's a long shot, I know, but it happens enough that he'd be crazy to take a chance.

It shouldn't be looked at as a "holdout", but just common sense and NOT looked down on.

Im ok with that. I agree thats life changing money for him and he deserves it. Id just want to know what it's gonna take. Be direct and honest on both sides. Be fair. 33 a year is fair / generous.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

1st rounders are important, but AJ Brown is a known high level commodity and we have the cap space. I tend to think his knee holds out at least 2 years, at which point the Pats can save a significant amount of money with releasing him.

Patriots first round draft picks since 2014:

2014- Dominique Easley
2015- Malcom Brown
2016- No pick
2017- No pick
2018- Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel
2019- N'Keal Harry
2020- No Pick
2021- Mac Jones
2022- Cole Strange
2023- Christian Gonzalez
2024- Drake Maye
2025- Will Campbell
2026- Caleb Lomu

11 picks. 6 outright busts.
A 7th player, Sony Michel, was an important contributor to the SB his rookie season, but overall a semi-bust.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

A 1st and a 5th for the rest of AJ Brown's career as a Patriot sounds pretty good to me. Just hope he leaves those drop issues in Philly for a fresh start with his childhood team.. Otherwise pretty excited about it being reality

 

[mayoclinic]

1st rounders are important, but AJ Brown is a known high level commodity and we have the cap space. I tend to think his knee holds out at least 2 years, at which point the Pats can save a significant amount of money with releasing him.

Patriots first round draft picks since 2014:

2014- Dominique Easley
2015- Malcom Brown
2016- No pick
2017- No pick
2018- Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel
2019- N'Keal Harry
2020- No Pick
2021- Mac Jones
2022- Cole Strange
2023- Christian Gonzalez
2024- Drake Maye
2025- Will Campbell
2026- Caleb Lomu

11 picks. 6 outright busts.
A 7th player, Sony Michel, was an important contributor to the SB his rookie season, but overall a semi-bust.

It is remotely possible that AJ Brown's production meets or exceeds that of our combined first round draft picks from 2014-2022. Not one was a foundational player.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Kinda seems a bit cherry picked. Our poor drafting towards the end of Brady's time here is what led to it being the end of Brady's time here. OF COURSE THEY WERE ALL BAD

 

[PatsFan2]

Kinda seems a bit cherry picked. Our poor drafting towards the end of Brady's time here is what led to it being the end of Brady's time here. OF COURSE THEY WERE ALL BAD

Glad you're happy Benny.

 

[pazrul72]

You are missing the point. If you are going to give him 2 million more than the next highest paid guy, just must feel he is incredibly valuable. Why wouldn’t you give him 3 more. Where did you come up with 2 being a line in the sand. If you feel that’s value of course 3 would be too because a million dollar is the equivalent an accounting error.
Drawing an arbitrary line in the sand and losing a great player over it is stupid

Because there does need to be a line in the sand somewhere or you get deals like Linderbaum, who I really wanted btw but hell no at that price. I'll pay you 2 more then anyone else is fair and the way the NFL works. Using your logic let's say they offer 33 Gonzos agent says 35 are you really going to say no to that because 2 million a year out of a 300 million cap is an accounting error? How bout 36? You know what he's one of the best defensive players in the NFL who are making 40 a year as long as he is under that it's fine? The answer to your question isn't that of course Gonzo is worth the extra million, it's is Gonzo worth that extra million plus (2) 1st round picks. Find a dumb ass team like the colts and that's potentially top 15 picks to really reload on talent. I think it's absolutely fine to have a line in the sand where the math becomes interesting and I agree with him that line is 33.

 

[resdubwhite]

Not sure of asked earlier. Are the pats on the lone for the voidable figure in 2030 of 50 plus mill. I'm guessing we are if so. That's a massive kick in the stones

 

[PatsFan2]

I’m so excited about this. Maye now has an excellent #1 receiver and a solid #2 in Doubs. Like I’ve said several times, both excellent route runners, get open, and have excellent hands, I think they will catch 125 passes between them (at least). Also opens up the middle of the field for Douglas & Henry. Best receiver corps we’ve had in ages.

Now I love the Romeo Doubs signing he's a Player who works well with others. Really Hope we keep Boutte even if it's just for this year: very deep WR Room. Thank you Mike Vrabel for not $hitting on the WR position like a previous HC. Get your Young QB weapons and good protection: Drake Maye is set up for success.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Not sure of asked earlier. Are the pats on the lone for the voidable figure in 2030 of 50 plus mill. I'm guessing we are if so. That's a massive kick in the stones

No.

 

[PatsFan2]

No.

Rob explain please.

 

[PatsFan2]

Not sure of asked earlier. Are the pats on the lone for the voidable figure in 2030 of 50 plus mill. I'm guessing we are if so. That's a massive kick in the stones

Good question.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Rob explain please.

A.J. Brown Surprisingly Low Patriots' Cap Hit Simplified | NESN

Here's how much A.J. Brown will cost New England after the trade.

nesn.com

 

[PatsFan2]

To be honest I would rather trade a 1st in the 2028 draft than a 2nd in the loaded 2027 draft. Might even want to trade other 2028 picks during the draft in order to trade up in 2027. Stock up on players next year where there’s lots of talent and then have a lighter 2028 draft class.

The 2027 NFL Draft will be one of those Drafts from Top to bottom. As for 2028 we won't miss having a First Rounder.

 

[mayoclinic]

Film Review: Breaking Down A.J. Brown's Potential Role in the Patriots Offense

The Patriots acquired the star wide receiver in a blockbuster trade with the Eagles earlier this week.

www.patriots.com

 

[PatsFan2]

A.J. Brown Surprisingly Low Patriots' Cap Hit Simplified | NESN

Here's how much A.J. Brown will cost New England after the trade.

nesn.com

Cap will be about a Billion by then.

 

[pazrul72]

I've said in the pre trade massive AJ Brown thread when Shefter reported the major point in the trade being a 2028 first that personally I wouldn't make that trade but I trust Vrable to make it. My view hasn't changed. I think what a lot of people are forgetting in the whole "I wouldn't have traded more then a 3rd", "we had them over a barrel" "we got fleeced" is it takes two parties feeling like they got value for a trade to work.

Howie does have a reputation and needs to be able to sell this to his people and can do that with the line I got a first. Vrable can go to his people and say because it's not until 2028 draft chart value wise they only gave up low end 2nd. If this had been a 2027 first I would have been violently opposed and quite upset with the trade, results be damned. I'm ok with a 2028 and feel like that's fair value for where the Patriots are going to be.

With the contracts the Patriots have on the books and what's coming up you have Gonzo cheapish for the next 3 years and Maye cheapish for about 4. Again would have been very opposed to them going all in last year before we knew for sure what we had but both players proved themselves to be top 5 in the league and NOW is the time to go all in. Between a harder schedule and regression back to the norm, seriously how often did they convert 3rd and long in critical situations? I think this years team will remind a lot of the 2002 Patriots. In the hunt and showing potential but not an actual SB quality team. There are some very simple cuts like Moses, Laundry, Spillaine, Davis in 2027 that could free up 100 million FA dollars for them to go ham in the 2027 FA market plus add a top 20 pick in the loaded 2027 draft? THAT is what gets me excited about the possibilities of this trade. I think the Patriots will have back to back absolute wagon years in 2028 and 29 and AJ will be a major piece for why before that bill becomes due at all.

That's the other piece of this trade again I wouldn't have done, but have complete faith in Vrable doing is when the bill is due. There is zero pain to this trade for 3 years. The draft pick is going to come at a time when they should be at worst a legit SB contender. This isn't going to be a top 10 pick, this is going to be end of the round borderline 2nd rounder in a weaker draft. And if we get 3-4 years of SB shots I'm ok with a down year or two after to reset the cap, load up again on young talent, and then go ham for another 3-5 years towards the end of Maye's career. I like the approach the Patriots are taking, the time to go all in is here and it looks like they are doing it.