What happened: Patriots reporter Armando Salguero posted video of quarterback Drake Maye throwing to A.J. Brown on the New England practice field. The clip, captioned "Not AI," offers the first on-field look at the pairing after Brown's move to Foxboro. It is the earliest glimpse of the chemistry between the young passer and his new No. 1 target.

Why it matters: The footage lands days after A.J. Brown's trade to the Patriots was finalized, giving New England a proven top receiver for Maye to grow with. Pairing a developing franchise quarterback with an established possession threat reshapes the Patriots' passing outlook for the upcoming 2026 season. Early reps like these signal the team wants the connection built well before camp.

What to watch: Watch for Brown's first official Patriots practice and how often he and Maye work together once training camp opens.