The New England Patriots got Drake Maye a star wide receiver in A.J. Brown, and fellow offseason pickup Kevin Byard III knows firsthand what the Patriots are getting in the three-time Pro Bowler.
“When I was in Chicago [with the Bears], we clearly performed in opposition to a man in Justin Jefferson, and, for essentially the most half, it’s essential level out the place Justin Jefferson was on each single play. It’s the identical factor with A.J.,” Byard said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday. “After I’m lined up at security, and I’m deep again there at 12, 14, 15 yards, no matter, I’m going to establish, the place’s A.J.? Like, the place’s he at? Is he lined up method out on the boundary on the X? Is he lined up within the slot or no matter? Let’s establish the place he’s, and now I can form of get an excellent foundation on, OK, that is the place the No. 1 participant is. OK, the operating again’s right here; the tight finish’s right here.
“It simply shifts your philosophy to the way you wish to play protection.”
Byard, a three-time All-Professional, and Brown have been teammates on the Tennessee Titans from 2019-21 and on the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. Moreover, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was the Titans’ head coach throughout the two gamers’ three years in Nashville.
Final season (2025), Brown totaled 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and 7 touchdowns with the Eagles. Over his 4 seasons with the Eagles (2022-25) — a stint highlighted by the receiver serving to Philadelphia win Tremendous Bowl LIX — Brown averaged 84.8 receptions for 1,258.5 yards and eight touchdowns per 12 months. New England acquired Brown from Philadelphia in June for a 2028 first-round decide and 2027 fifth-rounder.
“Do you play cloud over high of him? Since you don’t actually wish to depart him one-on-one,” Byard stated about Brown. “That’s what A.J. does finest. He’s going to run these slants, these fast dig routes, these go balls. I don’t assume anyone within the league is healthier than him relating to these routes and having the ability to break a deal with and take it the space. So, he’s only a phenomenal athlete, phenomenal expertise.”
Patriots Associated Tales
As for Byard, the veteran security spent the final two seasons with the Bears (2024-25), reeling in an NFL-high seven interceptions in 2025; he totaled one interception, two sacks and 130 mixed tackles in 2024. Byard spent the primary seven-plus seasons of his profession with the Titans (2016-23) earlier than being traded to the Eagles throughout the 2023 season and signing a two-year take care of the Bears the following offseason; he inked a one-year, $9 million take care of the Patriots this offseason.
Elsewhere on the vast receiver entrance, New England launched Stefon Diggs — who led the Patriots with 85 receptions and 1,013 receiving yards final season — and signed former Inexperienced Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million deal.
