Mike Vrabel holds A.J. Brown to high standards in Patriots practice
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 8:16 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel publicly corrected wide receiver A.J. Brown during a team meeting after the player failed to secure a catch in practice. Vrabel utilized the moment to emphasize the importance of accountability, noting that the organization expects the veteran to make difficult plays. This exchange occurred during training camp shortly after the Patriots acquired Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. Although the receiver admitted he might have struggled with such criticism earlier in his career, he acknowledged an understanding of the coach's perspective. The two previously worked together for three seasons with the Tennessee Titans. The Patriots surrendered a future first-round draft pick and a fifth-round selection to secure the receiver, signaling that the team expects high performance as they integrate him into the offense with quarterback Drake Maye.
- •Mike Vrabel coached A.J. Brown for three seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 to 2021.
- •The Patriots acquired A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a future first-round draft pick.
- •Vrabel addressed Brown directly in a team meeting after a missed catch during a training camp practice session.
- •The organization expects A.J. Brown to serve as a primary target for quarterback Drake Maye.
- 8:16 PMYahoo Sports — Mike Vrabel Sends A.J. Brown a Clear Message in One of His First Patriots Team Meetings
"A.J. Brown did not have to wait long to find out how Mike Vrabel was going to handle him in the New England Patriots. The head coach made that clear in one of their first team meetings, and Brown quickly learned that his reputation was not going to buy him much patience. That probably is […] The post Mike Vrabel Sends A.J. Brown a Clear Message in One of His First Patriots Team Meetings appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
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