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A.J. Brown did not have to wait long to find out how Mike Vrabel was going to handle him in the New England Patriots. The head coach made that clear in one of their first team meetings, and Brown quickly learned that his reputation was not going to buy him much patience. That probably is not a bad thing for a receiver; the Patriots just made one of its biggest investments in. Brown arrived with a proven track record and big expectations; however, Vrabel has already shown he’s willing to get on him when a play isn’t finished the way it should be. Mike Vrabel Sets The Standard For A.J. Brown Vrabel did not waste much time reminding Brown why the Patriots brought him to New England. During one of Brown’s first team meetings with the Patriots, Vrabel called out the veteran receiver after a missed opportunity in practice. It was not some dramatic confrontation but Vrabel making it clear that Brown is going to be held to the same standard as everyone else, maybe an even higher one. “A.J., obviously those are plays we expect, that you expect. This is why we signed up to be together, okay? For you to make those types of plays. Yeah, we all know that. We feel like holding players the most accountable is something critical to what we believe in, and what we think our identity is.” Mike Vrabel holding A.J. Brown accountable in one of Brown’s first team meetings with the #Patriots: “A.J., obviously those are plays we expect, that you expect. This is why we signed up to be together, okay? For you to make those types of plays. Yeah, we all know that.” “We… pic.twitter.com/7yESMeuBck — Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) September 4, 2026 That message fits what Vrabel has been preaching since taking over in New England. The Patriots don’t just want talented players, but want players who can be coached, corrected, and pushed without taking it personally. Brown already knows that firsthand. The three-time Pro Bowler later explained that Vrabel “ripped” him in their first team meeting of training camp after Brown failed to finish a catch he had initially gotten one hand on. Brown admitted he might not have loved it earlier in his career, however, he understands where Vrabel is coming from now. And there is plenty of history between them. Vrabel coached Brown during his first three NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through 2021. Brown eventually became one of the league’s most productive receivers in the Philadelphia Eagles; however, his four-year Eagles run ended with a trade to New England this offseason. The Patriots paid a hefty price for him, sending the Eagles a future first-round pick and a fifth-rounder. That alone tells you how much they expect from Brown. He is not being brought in to simply make the offense better; however, he is supposed to be the guy Drake Maye can trust when a play breaks down, when the defense knows where the ball is going, and when New England needs somebody to win a rep. That is why Vrabel’s approach matters. Brown is going to get his targets, he is going to make spectacular catches, and he is also going to get coached hard when he doesn’t finish a play the way he should. Related reading: Shilo Sanders’ Bankruptcy Trial Takes Turn as He Faces Assault Accusation Jordan Davis Vows To ‘Keep the Torch Going’ After Learning From Brandon Graham Former Eagles Coach Says Team Obtained Packers’ Practice Video, Used It Against Them – What We Know