How the Patriots can cover A.J. Brown’s absence: three players and the short-term plan

# Context and short-term problem

# What went wrong after Brown left Maye began the game efficiently (11 of 15 for 79 yards and a TD), then completed 12 of his next 18 for 99 yards and turned the ball over three times late. The Seahawks emphasized downfield coverage to limit deep opportunities, forcing Maye into a shorter passing game. The shift exposed two shortfalls: the loss of a reliable vertical threat and an inconsistent secondary receiving group that could turn short gains into sustained drives.

# The staff's approach Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels framed the response as a group effort: "There isn't one person on our roster who can replace anybody like A.J. Brown in the middle of a game or for a stretch of the season. We'll band together, we'll figure out what we can do well and try to get the guys in positions to play to their strengths." Head coach Mike Vrabel echoed that tone while addressing individual mistakes and the expectation players will rebound.

# Three players who matter most

• Role: jump-ball, contested catches and red-zone target.

• Upside: history of red-zone scoring — in 2022 at Green Bay he ranked fourth in the NFL with seven red-zone touchdowns. Vrabel remains publicly confident he can rebound.
• Immediate need: cut drops, settle into intermediate and red-zone work that mimics Brown's contested-catch value.

• Role: downfield vertical threat and shot-play receiver.
• Recent form: standout preseason showing (four catches, 129 yards, three TDs) though Week 1 was quiet.
• Chemistry: Williams and Maye connected for two deep TDs in 2025 but also showed miscommunications. Williams is a clear candidate to stretch defenses if he and Maye smooth those timing issues.
• Immediate need: reestablish consistent timing on deep concepts and earn more regular snaps designed for his speed.

# What success looks like in the next 4–6 weeks

• Doubs reduces drops and converts contested targets, especially near the goal line.
• Williams reclaims vertical production and forces defenses to respect deep shots.
• Maye avoids forcing deep throws out of impatience and capitalizes on high-percentage intermediate concepts that create yards-after-catch opportunities.
• The offense generates sustained drives without a single alpha receiver and minimizes turnovers on critical late-game possessions.

# Bottom line