New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel recently called out wide receiver AJ Brown during a training camp practice after the player dropped a pass. Brown, acquired by the Patriots in the offseason, was participating in his first training camp with the team when the incident occurred.
During an 11-on-11 drill, quarterback Drake Maye threw a pass intended for Brown. The receiver attempted a one-handed catch but dropped the ball. According to Brown, Vrabel "ripped" him for the missed play in front of his teammates.
"First team meeting, he had ripped me for almost bringing in a catch, and he expected me to make that play," Brown told reporters. "Early on, as a rookie, I didn't really like that too much, but now I know it comes from a great place and he expects me to make that play, and so do I."
Brown added that Vrabel "doesn't care about style points" and prioritizes reliable catches over flashy plays. The receiver acknowledged that he and Maye are still developing chemistry, with only one pass connected between them in full-team drills through the first three days of camp. Brown expressed his commitment to improving their rapport through better communication and execution of small details.
Brown was traded to the Patriots in June in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. He previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles.