What happened: The June acquisition of Brown placed him atop a remade receiving group. Brown said July 27 he was 90% through learning the offense, shifting his camp focus toward execution.
Why it matters: Concentrated volume would make Brown the focal point as New England prepares for the 2026 season. His work on downfield and tight-window targets gives the offense another way to convert aggressive throws.
By the numbers: Brown has exceeded a 23% target share in four straight seasons and scored at least seven touchdowns in six of his seven NFL seasons. Across his past four seasons, he produced 2,939 yards and 24 touchdowns on passes traveling at least 10 air yards.
What to watch: Preseason usage will show how often Brown is the first read and whether his route distribution broadens within the new scheme.