When the New England Patriots traded a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick for A. J. Brown, it seemed they had solved one of their biggest issues from 2025. The lack of a premier threat at wide receiver. Through seven games, the trade is already starting to look like a disaster for the Patriots.

In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, he caught 3 passes for 26 yards before leaving the game with a high ankle sprain. He was placed on Injured Reserve and missed the next four weeks. He returned last week against the New York Jets, catching three more passes for 27 yards. The most notable aspect of his game against the Jets was drops; he was rusty, and it showed.

This week against the Chicago Bears, he caught three passes again, this time for 48 yards. The Patriots ultimately lost 30-24. Frankly, if the Patriots want to return to the Super Bowl, Brown needs to be better.

This isn’t just on Brown; the entire Patriots receiving corps has been either injured or ineffective.…