A.J. Brown enters the 2026 regular season as the New England Patriots’ clear WR1 following a June trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, pairing him with quarterback Drake Maye in an offense expected to feature a high target share for the veteran receiver. Brown posted 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 games in 2025 while managing a degenerative knee condition that has required ongoing maintenance since his rookie year. At age 29, he remains a physical, yards-after-catch threat with a history of strong efficiency metrics, though his per-catch average dipped in his final Eagles season. Analysts project 80–90 receptions if he stays healthy over a full 17-game slate, supported by Maye’s passing volume and Brown’s fresh start after reported frustrations over targets in Philadelphia. Recent joint practices and coach comments indicate no major limitations heading into Week 1.