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A.J. Brown opens up on Mike Vrabel as Patriots trade speculation grows
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has been linked to several teams this offseason after a turbulent year in which he publicly voiced frustration with the Eagles’ offense.
Among the teams mentioned are the New England Patriots, led by Mike Vrabel, Brown’s former head coach with the Tennessee Titans.
Any possibility that the Patriots could trade for Brown and reunite him with Vrabel took an interesting turn following candid comments from Brown on the Dudes on Dudes podcast.
Here, we break down what the star wideout had to say about his former coach and what they might mean moving forward.
Discussing Vrabel on the show with two former Patriots greats, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, Brown had some choice words.
“Vrabe is the type of coach that he's going to call on you in the meetings,” Brown said. "He wants to make sure you're staying engaged, and he's going to go over the keys to victory of the week,” he continued.
As a young player, Brown found it frustrating. He even found a quiet way to vent.
“I used to write in my notebook because at the time, I really didn't like Vrabes. I didn't like him, and I admit that he knows that. So, I used to write, 'I hate Vrabes, I hate Vrabes, I hate Vrabes,'” Brown said.
“I was doing that to pretend like I was taking notes to look like I was engaged... he was so hard on me when I was a rookie, and I really didn't understand it,” he added.
Looking back, the annoyance turned into appreciation. Brown came to realise Vrabel was hard on him for a reason.
“At the time, I told Vrabes like, 'Hey, like I'm humble already. You don't got to humble me.' But I really didn't understand what he was trying to, you know, push me.”
With the benefit of hindsight, Brown fully recognises the value in having a coach who preaches accountability.
"It makes the team come together because nobody is bigger than the team. Nobody is bigger than the program, so you have to respect it,” he continued.
Brown has previously stated there are "no hard feelings" following the trade which sent him to Philadelphia.
And their embrace when Vrabel’s Titans faced the Eagles in 2022 suggested genuine mutual respect between the two men.
Scott Taetsch / Stringer
Vrabel hasn't publicly responded to Brown's comments, but as a coach renowned for speaking plainly, he may appreciate his former pupil's honest reflection.
Only time will tell if Brown’s comments impact any trade talks between the Patriots and Eagles.
