New England Patriots Hall of Famer Rodney Harrison made a strong final push for his old team to trade for A.J. Brown ahead of June 1, saying the team could really use a wide receiver like the Philadelphia Eagles star.
"They need to do it," Harrison said, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. "When you look at the Patriots receivers, they don't have that identity. And the thing I picked up last year, no one was really afraid of them."
Harrison, who won two Super Bowls as a safety with the Patriots from 2003-08, currently serves as an analyst on NBC's "Football Night in America."
The Eagles are reportedly working toward trading Brown this offseason, with the Patriots considered the most likely destination. A potential trade is expected to take place on or after June 1, when Philadelphia can split the wideout's $40-million cap between 2026 and '27.
New England's offense lacks an established No. 1 receiver. In March, the team parted ways with Stefon Diggs, who topped 1,000 yards during the 2025 season.
"When you put that 6-foot-2, 225-pound guy out there, it gives the offense a different look and forces defenses to respect that," Harrison said of Brown. "He would give them toughness and open up so many things from a strategy standpoint. He still has it. When A.J. is engaged and excited to play, and feels like he's a big part of the game plan, there's not many better than him."
Brown is a three-time Pro Bowler who's recorded 1,000-plus yards in six of his seven NFL seasons. However, the 28-year-old averaged 66.9 receiving yards per game in 2025, his lowest single-season mark since 2021.
Harrison believes Brown could also improve the Patriots' morale to help them overcome a recent Super Bowl loss and the off-field turmoil involving head coach Mike Vrabel.
"He would provide so much excitement and confidence throughout the locker room," Harrison added. "If you can add a top-five to top-seven wide receiver to your roster, that is big from an emotional standpoint. This team has gone through an emotional sore getting over the Super Bowl and then what happened with their head coach, so it would give them an emotional boost."
The Patriots signed former Green Bay Packers wideout Romeo Doubs this offseason. Their wide receiver depth chart also features Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas, among others.
