‘He Won't Tolerate Any Foolishness From A.J. Brown' – 2-Time Patriots SB Champ Reveals Why Mike Vrabel Will Succeed Where Nick Sirianni Failed

A.J. Brown is entering a new chapter of his NFL career after joining the New England Patriots in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1, 2026. The move reunites Brown with Mike Vrabel, who coached him during his first three NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans. With Brown now expected to become the Patriots' top wide receiver, questions remain about how the star receiver will fit under his former coach. Two-time Patriots Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel believes Vrabel has the right approach to get the best out of Brown. Brown spent his last four seasons under Nick Sirianni in Philadelphia. While the pair helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl, their relationship had its fair share of tension. That frustration became visible during the Eagles' playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 season, when Brown and Sirianni were involved in a heated sideline exchange. Samuel believes Vrabel's willingness to hold his players accountable could prevent similar issues in New England. 'I can tell what a coach is all about from how their players are acting, right? Mike Vrabel is a real one. He won't tolerate any foolishness from A.J. Brown on his team or any of his players for that matter,' Samuel said. The former Patriots cornerback believes Brown understands Vrabel's expectations, which could help create a stronger relationship between the coach and receiver. START PREPARING:PFN's Free Fantasy Draft Simulator Samuel also took a shot at Sirianni, arguing that the Eagles coach focused too much on maintaining relationships with his star players instead of setting firm boundaries. 'People will only act out, not be on the same page, as long as you allow it,' Samuel said. 'If we show that we won't tolerate outlandish behavior, watch the people who want to be there get in line.' The Patriots are counting on Brown to become the team's true No. 1 receiver and give quarterback Drake Maye another major weapon in the offense. Vrabel has already made it clear that he expects Brown to deliver after joining New England. During a team meeting, Vrabel highlighted a play where Brown beat his defender but failed to complete a one-handed catch. The missed opportunity clearly frustrated the coach. 'A.J., obviously those are plays we expect, that you expect,' Vrabel said. 'This is why we signed up to be together, okay? For you to make those types of plays.' Brown now has the opportunity to show what he can bring to New England when the Patriots open their regular season against the Seattle Seahawks. This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .