Following Josh McDaniels' comparison, Rob Gronkowski didn't hold back, claiming A.J. Brown has "elevated this roster big time" and finally gives Drake Maye the support he needs.

According to MassLive, Gronkowski said on Up & Adams on Monday that A.J. Brown's arrival has significantly boosted the Patriots' Super Bowl chances.

“They definitely have a chance. They needed this trade,” Gronkowski said of the defending AFC champs. “They needed that No. 1 receiver in order to compete again, to get back to the Super Bowl or at least get back to the playoffs and have Super Bowl aspirations and be able to be a contender. They got Romeo Doubs as well. Their offense is complete.”

His remarks followed McDaniels' earlier claim that Brown is "the closest thing" he's seen to legendary Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. That said, the trade addresses what was arguably New England's biggest offensive hole.

Last season, Stefon Diggs led the Patriots with 1,013 yards and four touchdowns; no one receiver on the roster came close to matching his production.

With Diggs gone, a major void was left to fill.

The Patriots filled that void with A.J Brown. Standing 6-foot and 226 pounds, he gives Drake Maye what Gronkowski calls a “big-bodied guy who can move, and it’s hard to be that big, and to move.”

Statistically speaking, Brown had a challenging 2025 season but still managed over 1,000 receiving yards for a fourth straight year, with 78 catches and seven touchdowns.

In conclusion, Brown gives Maye the dynamic playmaker that New England has lacked for years, bringing deep-threat ability and yards-after-catch production under one roof.

NFL Insider Says A.J. Brown Gives Drake Maye the Push He Needs

ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano believes the Patriots' acquisition of A.J. Brown was a game-changing move, giving quarterback Drake Maye the physical, proven No. 1 receiver New England desperately needed.

"Can Brown be for Maye what Diggs was years ago for Josh Allen in Buffalo? The Bills' acquisition of Diggs in 2020 helped vault Allen into the top tier of the league's quarterbacks," Graziano wrote.

Graziano further noted that the Patriots are targeting championship-caliber players, and with Brown and Maye on their side, things could finally swing in New England's favor this season.

“Wide receiver was one of the positions that offered that opportunity, and if Maye can make the most of what Brown offers, we could see the Patriots' offense ascend to another level in 2026,” Graziano concluded.

Despite the fact that the Patriots are aware of Brown's knee condition, they believe he will be monumental for the team. That said, what are your thoughts on A.J. Brown in New England?

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore