Rob Gronkowski Sees Big Potential for Drake Maye with Addition of AJ Brown

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski recently shared his thoughts on how quarterback Drake Maye’s performance could improve significantly in the upcoming NFL season. The Patriots made notable changes to their lineup following a loss in Super Bowl LXI, waiving veteran receiver Stefon Diggs and acquiring AJ Brown, a Pro Bowl receiver from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gronkowski believes AJ Brown offers Maye an excellent target in the receiving corps, drawing comparisons between his skills and those of Gronk at the wide receiver position. Gronkowski praised Brown for his ability to use his physicality to get open despite tight coverage. He remarked, “He’s a bigger body that knows how to use his body. He can get open even though he’s covered.”

“That’s gonna be the big transition. I think Drake Maye’s gonna develop more as a player because he’s never really had a guy the size of AJ Brown with the skill set. Let’s see where Drake Maye can place the ball this year when AJ Brown is covered, to where only AJ Brown can go up and make the play and use his body and skill set to make that play,” Gronkowski said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

This pairing has potential to significantly elevate Maye’s game. Gronkowski drew parallels to how his former quarterback Tom Brady used to throw him open, suggesting Maye might do similarly with Brown, which could enhance the Patriots’ offense.

In the previous season, Drake Maye had a standout sophomore year, accumulating 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. He led the league in QBR at 77.1 and topped all quarterbacks with a 113.5 passer rating.

AJ Brown’s addition comes after a challenging season with the Eagles, though he still managed to achieve 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Now, with a fresh opportunity in New England, he aims to maximize his potential, catching passes from the promising young QB, Maye. Brown finds himself reunited with his former Tennessee Titans coach, Mike Vrabel, and under the strategic guidance of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel.

While the Patriots anticipate strong performances in the AFC, they must overcome competition from formidable opponents like Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, and Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Nevertheless, if Maye and Brown develop a solid partnership, the Patriots could become even stronger contenders.

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