Here’s what New England Patriots receiver A.J. Brown had to say during his introductory press conference with the media on Tuesday, June 2, 2026:
On his reaction and who told him he’d been traded to the Patriots:
“My agent. My reaction was super excited to play for my childhood team.”
On the fact that, when the Titans drafted him, Mike Vrabel said he wished the Patriots him…
“Absolutely.”
On if he can walk [the media] through his fandom and that night:
“Yeah, that was a tough night. That was a tough night. I joked about it earlier. I said the Patriots have been breaking my heart over the years. But, that night was— I was looking forward to getting picked, going in the first round. I was projected a first-round pick. Obviously things can go another way. And the 32nd pick, they took another receiver. Soon as the pick came in, I was already like in my car, leaving my draft party. And I went back to my room, and I went in the closet and just kind of tried to gather myself because I was just disappointed. It’s something that I wanted to— where I wanted to be. Obviously, I wanted to play with Tom [Brady]. So, that didn’t happen. But everything happens for a reason. So… Yeah.”
On at what point he knew he was becoming a Patriot:
“Uh, I didn’t know until like the day, the day of. Honestly, it was, uh, it was always touch and go. You didn’t know, you know. I let my agent kind of handle that. I was staying focused with my family and trying to be where my feet were, you know, and let him do his job.”
AJ, you had great success in Philadelphia…
“Super Bowl, won a Super Bowl…”
…Frustrating 1,000-yard seasons, but it felt like, from the reporting of it, that maybe there’s some dissatisfaction there at the end that helped sort of speed this up. Can you kind of walk us through what happened that led you to be out the door there and in here?
“I won’t get into, like, details about it, but I’m excited for this opportunity. I’m here now. Not to get into details. None of that stuff matters. What’s done is done, and we’re here, and we’re moving forward.”
On if he can explain that level of excitement now that it’s really happening here:
“Just talking to my mom, and I was like, “Man, I’m still in awe. I’m trying to adjust and walking up the hill with the uniform on, I was like, man, ‘This is real.’ And caught myself at one point in practice, wasn’t paying attention because I was like, ‘Dang, I’m a Patriot.’ And just trying to take it all in as much as I can. Obviously, I got back to work quickly, but it’s levels to it. And like I said, I’m enjoying it. Obviously, I know this ain’t heaven, but you know, it’s close to it.”
On when they had that huddle at the end that Mike [Vrabel] does, and he was listening to his voice, if he kind of put his head down, and was it a little surreal for him:
“No, that was this morning. That was this morning when Vrabe’s was getting on Will Campbell. He was getting on him, man. He was saying, he was like, ‘Don’t leave, I’m about to get to my best part.’ And I was like, ‘I’ve been around you a million times. I know what you’re about to do to him.’ You know? And so, that’s when it kind of just started to set in, and I’m around Vrabe’s.”
On where did this passion come from for the Patriots, and what would he say to the fans now that he’s here that are going to be watching him every week:
“Passion came from wanting to be like my big cousin. He was a big Patriots fan, and I want to, as I said, I want to be like him and as far as I can remember, I was a Patriots fan. And to the fans, you know, it’s time. Better late than never. We right on time. And I’m so excited. I can’t wait to get out there in Gillette Stadium and hear the crowd and make plays and have fun.”
On what excites him about playing with Drake [Maye]?
“Everything, man. I was watching him today. Obviously, I’m learning the plays and getting out there with him. He can make any throw. He’s very poised. Today in the meeting, I would say he kind of took over the meeting. Josh [McDaniels] was speaking and he kind of cut Josh off, not in a rude way, but he just kind of took over. It says so much from a young guy to know what he’s talking about, number one, and to lead, and to be the voice of this team. So when I heard that, I was like, ‘Wow, that was impressive.’ You know, obviously, I heard great things about him, but that part alone tells me a lot about him and how much he loves his job, and he studies and everything. So, yeah.”
On the fact a lot of people talk about his abilities as a deep ball receiver and a lot of people talk about [Drake Maye’s] skills as a deep ball passer, and how he feels like his game can complement one another:
“Obviously, that component of it, yeah, we want to grow in that part, but also we want to grow in all areas. We want to try to attack the 3 levels on the field, short, medium, and long.”
On what he remembers about his first impression of Mike Vrabel and how is that relationship:
“My first impression? Oh, I did not like him. Yeah, I mean, I can say that, but what I’ve grown into, man, he’s a great guy. He’s a great guy, and he coaches hard. He holds his guys accountable, and I’m not saying that lightly. He really does, and he leads this group, leads the team. And honestly, I believe that he’s daring somebody to challenge him so he can show you – he still thinks he can play. So, yeah.”
On how familiar he with Josh McDaniels before he got here? And what does he think of his offense and also he fits in it, specifically how he likes to move pieces around:
“Just from the short time, short little period that we talked, I’m excited. He’s given me a whole bunch of ideas. I’ve been around Brady long enough to not get into scheme, so I can’t give you nothing. But I’m excited.”
On what does it have to be for him to feel fulfilled …
“I’m fulfilled now.”
… but on the field, when the season goes, when the magic of being a Patriot wears off a little bit and you get into the season, what do you have to do for you to feel like— or what is it your kind of percentage or role of the offense has to feel like that you’re fulfilling what you feel like he wants you to?
“I’m just going to work hard and let things— let the chips fall where they may. Go out there and make plays and help my teammates. That’s all.”
On the fact the coaches said he’s a demanding player, and how he tempers his demanding nature with getting along here too as he joins a new team:
“I think first off, you’ve got to learn the guys. You just can’t come in demanding – like today they wanted me to get up there in front. I’m like, ‘Nah, I got to earn that.’ And he was like, ‘You know, it’s a respect thing.’ I’m like, ‘I got to earn that first, and I want to earn it and I want to earn those guys’ respect,’ But obviously it’s about getting to know them first and obviously you can see how far you can push them because I just want to serve guys and help guys as much as I can on the field, off the field, whatever I can do.”
On the fact he mentioned having followed the Patriots. We’ve heard Josh McDaniels will show clips of past teams, older players. Throughout his NFL career, are there any former Patriots he’s modeled his game after, guys he’s built a relationship that he’s gotten advice from:
“Other than the obvious, Tom. But nobody, nobody. You, we had Randy Moss here. So I mean, like, praise Randy Moss.”
On if they asked him to stand in front of the whole team and he was like …
“No, no, no. No, it was on the stretch. They wanted me to lead the line. So I was just like, ‘You know, I’m cool. Let me earn that for you first.”
On how his knee is feeling and if he has any updates with that:
“No injury. Nothing to worry about. You know, I think this whole little— you got to understand where I came from. So any conversation about anything is going to come up … So maybe in what, 4 years I’ve missed one game from shot to the knee? So that’s nothing to worry about. I’m good. I’m ready to go.”
On the fact he talked about being mindful of his role today and easing his way in, the coaches talked about his leadership, and he’s a humble guy, but he also wants to lead and how that’s going to be:
“You let that happen organically. I don’t want to come in and try to force anything. Like I said, I want to earn my respect from my teammates about how hard I work, how I show up. That’s it.”
On why he picked the number 11 instead of the number 1?
“Yeah. One, Julian Edelman. Obviously, he gave me his grace to wear #11, but I got so much respect and so much love for him. I’m gonna let that be. I’m gonna create my own legacy here, just getting back to my roots.”
“I was number 1 all the way up until I got to the league, and I tried to get number 1 in Tennessee and I couldn’t, because of Warren Moon. And even Philly, I tried to get number 1, but Jalen just changed to 1, from 2. So, it’s a match made in heaven going back to my roots, and it feels good. So that’s all, not crazy.”
On how much he feels he has left in the tank with where he’s at in his career:
“You’ll see.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
