As the New England Patriots await word on the potential trade for Eagles All-Pro WR A.J. Brown, they got offseason news of a different sort. Reigning MVP runner-up Drake Maye and some Patriots receivers were throwing together in south Florida, putting in some work to grow and get better as New England looks to make it back to the Super Bowl this upcoming season — and this time, they plan to win it.
On Sunday morning, ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss dropped his Patriots notebook, detailing a series of updates on the offseason goings-on in New England. Among them was an update on the Patriots’ pursuit of Brown, as well as a story about how Maye and some of his receivers came to work out at the Florida Atlantic facilities recently.
Brown will continue to dominate the headlines as New England is still in need of a bona fide WR1, but it’s good to see Maye getting in work with his current group of receivers, the ones who helped him run through the playoffs and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
The New England Patriots Get an A.J. Brown Trade Update
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 04: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
“If the Eagles traded the receiver before June 1, they would absorb $43.5 million in dead money on their salary cap ($20.1 million more than his current cap charge),” Reiss wrote. “If they traded Brown after June 1, the dead money on their salary cap would be $16.353 million.”
“That simple math highlights why any deal for Brown, with the Patriots a top suitor, wouldn’t be finalized until June 1.”
How Drake Maye and the New England Patriots Receivers Came to Practice at Florida Atlantic
The reason Maye and his receivers were able to work out at the Florida Atlantic (FAU) facilities was actually because of FAU head coach Zach Kittley. According to Reiss’ story, when Maye and his wife, Ann Michael, traveled to Florida to escape the winter weather, three returning Patriots receivers were already there: Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas.
“We have mutual [friends] and he just shot me a text, ‘Hey Coach, I’d love to bring the guys out. Would you be willing to let us come use your facility to throw?'” Kittley told Reiss. “I said absolutely. I didn’t know him personally until I got to see him [Wednesday].”
“Just interacting with those guys, seeing who they are as people. I didn’t sit there and hang out with them for hours, but I can tell you Drake seems like an unbelievable person, first and foremost. I’m all for helping great people. He was willing to talk to those guys and answer any questions they might have had,” Kittley said.
“You’re looking at the best of the best, a team that just played in the Super Bowl. So [our players] watched how they worked their craft. Any time you can have professional football players out here who can give you some pointers, and show you kind of what it’s supposed to look like, all that can do is help us. Our guys enjoyed it.”
Insider Reveals Update on Drake Maye & Patriots WRs Amid A.J. Brown Trade Rumors