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Patriots Beat AFC Rivals With 'Most Impactful' Offseason Move
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. It was a busy offseason for the New England Patriots , who were the surprise of the 2025 season by reaching the Super Bowl with second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Following the successful campaign, head coach Mike Vrabel found himself in the headlines for an alleged affair with sports reporter Dianna Russini. While both denied the allegations, Russini was fired from her job at the Athletic while Vrabel took a short leave of absence from the team.
As for the on-field headlines, the team made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by trading for star wide receiver AJ Brown.
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ESPN ranked New England's trade with the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 2 most impactful move of the offseason.
"The Patriots acquired Brown to give quarterback Drake Maye a true No. 1 target at every level of the route tree. More specifically, Brown gives New England the chance to scheme more one-on-one throws on the perimeter," ESPN wrote .
"Brown can play through contact at a consistent rate while also stretching the field vertically. He topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his four seasons with the Eagles, and his game pairs well with free agent signing Romeo Doubs. Both moves elevated a Patriots WR room that lacked impact ability last season."
With Stefon Diggs gone, the team needed a top wide receiver and got that in Brown, plus extra depth with Doubs, who was a strong target for Jordan Love in Green Bay.
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