Former Patriots Player Identifies Receiver New England Must Acquire To Win Super Bowl
The New England Patriots fell short of a Super Bowl victory on Sunday night, and analysts are already discussing what the Pats need to do moving forward to take their team to the next level.
One of those analysts happens to be former Pats player Damien Harris, who came out and said that New England needs to trade for an “alpha” like wide receiver A.J. Brown if they want to take the next step.
Brown delivered a solid yet inconsistent 2025 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing with 78 receptions on 121 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 regular-season games.
Despite leading the team in targets, he voiced frustration over his usage amid the offense’s broader struggles, including a sideline exchange and questions about his role. Standout performances included a two-touchdown, 132-yard outing against the Bears in Week 13 and a 110-yard effort in a loss to the Cowboys.
The Eagles went 11-6 to claim the NFC East but fell 23-19 to the 49ers in the wild-card round, where Brown managed just three catches for 25 yards. Trade rumors swirled midseason, but GM Howie Roseman retained him.
Over his seven-year NFL tenure, Brown has established himself as an elite wideout, amassing 524 receptions for 8,029 yards and 56 touchdowns since being drafted in the second round by the Titans in 2019.
After a trade to Philadelphia in 2022, he earned three Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nods, setting Eagles records like 106 catches in 2023 and back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with DeVonta Smith. His consistent production (five 1,000-yard campaigns in six years) cements his status as a top target for Jalen Hurts, even as the team eyes offensive tweaks post-playoff exit.