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AJ Brown is already working with his New England Patriots teammates after months of trade rumors led to the Philadelphia Eagles finally sending the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to Foxborough.
It’s a marriage both sides sought, with the Browns’ frustrating 2025 campaign ending with a Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers at home. Now he steps right in as the team’s best receiver with Stefon Diggs out after just one year.
The Patriots are the reigning AFC champions, although they were unable to get another ring after the Seattle Seahawks beat them in Super Bowl LX earlier this year. But they hope the addition of Brown, to go along with their young, dynamic roster, is what they need to bounce back.
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown warms up during training camp at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 24, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
One Patriots legend believes he is the key to at least getting them back into contention.
“I think he’s going to be the X-factor to put the Patriots back in contention to be in the Super Bowl,” Rob Gronkowski, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, told Pakinomist Digital while highlighting his partnership with Ryde: “I mean, it’s so hard to argue that you’re going to the Super Bowl and winning the Super Bowl. But I’d say he’s happy to get them in the Super Bowl again.
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“That’s all you can ask for going into the preseason. That’s all you can ask for going into the season, there’s no question about that. To go back to the Super Bowl, you’ve got to upgrade your roster, and without a doubt, AJ Brown is the upgrade they needed.”
“Gronk” has already been brought up when it comes to Brown in a Patriots uniform, even though they don’t play the same positions. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who used Gronkowski extremely well during their time together in New England, recently said Brown is the “closest thing” he’s ever seen to Gronkowski.
“There’s a power in the way he plays the game … maybe the closest I’ve seen is Gronk,” McDaniels told reporters earlier this month. “This is a big guy.”
Brown’s ability to win contested catches has been his calling card and why he has consistently said he is always open even if a defender is draped over him. That physical game is something the Patriots can use, as well as Brown’s route-running prowess, which has led to four straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving.
AJ Brown of the New England Patriots sprints during a minicamp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on June 9, 2026. (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Gronkowski also saw a change in the Patriots when they landed a receiver named Randy Moss in 2007, who the tight end also sees an important resemblance to.
“The only similarity I would say he has with Randy Moss — they’re two completely different players. Built completely different,” Gronkowski explained. “But both great No. 1 wide receivers. They had a down year — I don’t really want to say a down year. And then they both wanted to go to the New England Patriots. That’s the similarity I see between Randy Moss and AJ Brown.
“I think he’s going to be really focused. This is a dream team for him. He’s always been a fan of the New England Patriots, even when he was on the Philadelphia Eagles. He came out and admitted it, too. So I think he’s going to be set and ready to go. He’s still young enough to give it his all, go out there and produce at the highest level.
“It was a huge upgrade, a huge win for the Patriots. I really like the move.”
Rob Gronkowski attends WrestleMania 42 Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Quality sleep is a must for Gronk
It was back in high school that Gronkowski realized how underrated quality sleep was for a budding athlete. He needed to take a nap before every basketball game he played after school, a habit that followed him throughout college and into his professional football career.
After all, someone like Gronkowski, an animal on and off the field, needs to be well-rested and recovered to keep it up all these years.
That’s why Gronkowski was excited partner with Ryde: the functional wellness brand and help preach how great their new two-ounce SLEEP wellness shot is for users who want to fall asleep faster at night while supporting sleep quality.
“It just fits my lifestyle,” Gronkowski said. “It’s a very organic opportunity that aligns with my daily goals. It’s about being balanced. It’s also about the recovery, and that’s what this SLEEP shot does for me. You need sleep if you want to recover, if you want to go hard all day, and you want to do it again the next day and the next day. You need to get your sleep into play, and that’s going to help me, why Ryde comes into play.”
Ryde has launched its new SLEEP shot, designed to help users improve their sleep quality while waking up feeling refreshed for the day. Legendary NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski has partnered with the company to pitch the new product. (Ryder)
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Between the SLEEP and fan-favorite FOCUS shoots, Gronkowski is known to put natural ingredients into his body, stressing that he’s “all about natural.” SLEEP uses melatonin, GABA, L-theanine and chamomile to help users relax, and Gronkowski finds it perfect for his daily routine.
“This is the first time I’ve really talked about being a sleep advocate and I really believe in it,” he said. “I’ve always napped because I believe in sleep so much. If I get a full night’s sleep, I don’t really need to sleep as much. That’s where Ryde: SLEEP comes in. I can sleep through a full night and be ready to go the next day.”
