Quarterback Drake Maye had a 155.6 passer rating in the 42-13 win against the Carolina Panthers, the highest in his career so far. The former North Carolina Tar Heel threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns, completing 14 of his 17 pass attempts.
Maye has improved from his rookie season, as he currently has the sixth-most passing yards in the league with 988 yards. The QB is around halfway through his passing yards and touchdown tallies from his rookie season.
If it leads to wins, that’s what I’m trying to become and the quarterback I’m trying to become,” Maye said of his performance after beating the Panthers. “I try to do it kind of just my whole career, kind of spread it around and give it to the guys that can make plays. I think everybody’s got some chance on our team, our skill guys to make the defense give them a problem.”
While Maye has gotten off to a good start as the undisputed starter for the New England Patriots, one NFL analyst believes the Patriots can make one addition to the offense to help Maye’s development.
Proposed Trade Sends AJ Brown to Foxborough
Getty ImagesPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown
The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs to give Drake Maye a WR1 and help the offense. Diggs had his best performance in Week 4 against Carolina, hauling in 6 catches for 101 yards, almost half of his season total.
Diggs has mentioned that he is still warming up to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ scheme, saying he is at a “five out of ten.”
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay believes the Patriots should trade another weapon for Maye and the offense. The NFL analyst proposed a trade that would land the Patriots’ wide receiver AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Patriots may have looked great… but there’s still a clear need for this 2-2 squad to add some receiver help to unlock Drake Maye’s vast potential,” Kay wrote for Bleacher Report. “Despite making the Pro Bowl as a rookie, Maye has been inconsistent as a passer throughout his short tenure in the pros… While Stefon Diggs’ breakout six-catch, 101-yard outing inspires confidence that the veteran might become the WR1 this unit has long lacked, the Patriots don’t have a single pass-catcher with 20 catches on the season.
“Rather than hope Diggs can remain healthy and productive while rekindling his superstar status, the Pats should instead trade for a true lead wideout in A.J. Brown… His services won’t come cheap, but the Pats shouldn’t hesitate to create a standout, veteran-laden receiving corps led by Diggs and Brown. Doing so will help Maye reach his ceiling and allow him to lead this organization back to the playoffs.”
In the proposal, the Patriots would give up a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 second-round draft pick in exchange for Brown’s talents.
What Brown Brings To New England
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles AJ Brown
AJ Brown is off to a slow start in his fourth season with Philly.
The wide receiver has only logged 151 receiving yards and one touchdown catch after four games into the 2025 NFL season. Despite his slow start, Brown currently leads the team in targets and has the second-most receiving yards on the team.
If Brown were to be traded to the Patriots, they would have one of the better wide receiver duos in the league. Diggs plays primarily in the slot, with Brown playing on the outside.
New England is currently more of a passing team, something that AJ Brown can get behind and see more production on the field.
Brown has logged 865+ yards in his first six seasons. If he were to end up in Foxborough, he could see more yards as a dual threat next to Diggs and help Maye develop confidence.
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