What happened: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels praised receiver A.J. Brown's physical playing style, saying "there's a force to the way he plays the game" and that the closest comparison he has seen is tight end Rob Gronkowski, emphasizing Brown's size. The remarks circulated after being shared by @RapSheet with the note "Interesting comparison."

Why it matters: Coordinator-level praise during the offseason program sets expectations for Brown's role and usage heading into the 2026 season. Invoking Gronkowski — one of the era's most physically dominant pass-catchers — frames Brown as a focal point of the offense rather than just a perimeter threat.

What to watch: Watch whether the comparison holds up once padded practices and the regular season begin, and how the staff schemes Brown's targets around that physical profile.