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FOXBOROUGH — Together now for a second time, Mike Vrabel sees a different A.J. Brown than the guy he first coached in Tennessee. Vrabel coached Brown for three seasons with the Titans (2019-2021), and now after a June trade brought Brown to New England, they’re working together again. On Saturday, the pair reflected on just how far their relationship has come. Brown said that as a younger player he struggled to understand Vrabel’s occasionally harsh messaging. It was a challenge, especially after he sparkled in his first few games of his first year under Vrabel. “Early on, I was just . . . he was just so tough on me. And I really didn’t understand that as a young player,” Brown said before practice. “It didn’t help in my first game, I had 100 yards [receiving], and he was trying to bring me down. And next week, I had a good play — a couple good plays. And [in the fourth game] I had two touchdowns. “And then I ran into Jalen Ramsey,” Brown added with a smile. “[Vrabel’s] message hit home really quickly.” That approach yielded dividends for Vrabel and the Titans in Brown’s three seasons, as Brown had 185 catches for 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns. “I think he was just trying to let me know how the game is played, you know? It’s a week-to-week league. Each and every week,” Brown recalled. After leaving Tennessee, Brown spent four seasons with the Eagles before an offseason deal reunited him with Vrabel. To this point, it’s been a happy reunion for a few reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the coach said now, more than four years later, he sees Brown as a changed individual, both on and off the field. “I think that the maturity has been probably what I’ve appreciated seeing on a daily basis,” Vrabel said. “We had A.J. as a young player [and we] continued that relationship personally. And I could sense that he was growing and making strides in that regard. “But having him here and seeing him each and every day, and the way that he communicates,” he added. “Just seeing, I guess, his routine — his daily routine. And the way that he talks to the young receivers, or the way that he communicates with [wide receivers coach Todd Downing] or [offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels] or the quarterback, I would say that that’s probably a little different than you know the day-to-day person I saw as a young player.” As a veteran of Vrabel’s occasionally caustic coaching style, the 29-year-old receiver can serve as a guide for young players who might be going through the same sort of struggles. Brown said second-round pick Gabe Jacas has come in for the worst of it this summer from his head coach. “[Vrabel] is on him really tough,” Brown said with a smile. “[I’m] just sitting in my chair laughing seeing the process, witnessing it all over again. But I want to have a couple words for Gabe, you know, to keep him locked in. Hopefully, my words help.” Brown said that, ultimately, Jacas and other young players have to understand that when it comes to the tough love from the head coach, it all comes from a “great place” that’s ultimately geared toward improvement. “Now, I know the expectation that I have for myself, and I know the expectation he had for me,” Brown said. “And they’re even higher than expectations I have myself. So, like I said, it just comes from a great place.” Brown’s not only happy to be back with Vrabel, he’s “super excited” about starting a new season as a member of the Patriots. “I literally looked at the sign today and said, ‘I’m a Patriot,’” he said. “I’m still in awe, and I’m grateful. I’m grateful, and I’m excited.” Brown, Henderson sidelined Offensive lineman Ben Brown and running back TreVeyon Henderson were not spotted on the practice field Saturday afternoon. Henderson is dealing with a right ankle issue he sustained in an Aug. 24 practice. Brown is working his way back after suffering an undisclosed injury in the preseason opener Aug. 13 against the Colts. The first official injury report of the week will be released Sunday afternoon. Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.