Drake Maye gets new WR1 with Monday NFL trade

· Yahoo Sports

The New England Patriots started to look plenty more like their old selves last season, with former UNC quarterback Drake Maye a main reason for their success.

Visit betsport.cv for more information.

Maye threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, Top-4 amongst all quarterbacks, while his 77.1 QBR led the NFL. Maye finally got his All-Star wide receiver in Stefon Diggs, who led the Patriots with 1,013 yards.

Diggs is a free agent now, but New England just made an offseason splash to further upgrade Maye's receiving corps. On Monday, the Patriots traded for Super Bowl Champion, All-Pro wide receiver AJ Brown.

Recording 1,000 receiving yards in six of his first seven NFL seasons, Brown ended his 2025-26 campaign with 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown became increasingly upset about his role as WR1 in the Philadelphia Eagles' offense last season, despite later claiming he was happy.

With Brown and Maye now teaming up, New England's offense should immediately become the NFL's best. The Patriots also added Romeo Doubs in free agency, while tight end Hunter Henry also returns.

Maye, Brown and their New England teammates kick off 2026 on Thursday, August 13 with a Week One preseason matchup vs. the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots' regular season starts Wednesday, September 9 at the Seattle Seahawks, pitting both of this year's Super Bowl teams against each other in a rematch.

New England has all the pieces for another Super Bowl run, with Brown's impending arrival the key Maye needs for his first Super Bowl championship. Can the Patriots get back and finish the job in 2027?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football: Drake Maye gets new star receiver with A.J. Brown trade

Read full story at source