Philadelphia Eagles star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, fresh off a joint practice clash, just gave New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown some serious props. Mitchell, who was a first-team All-Pro just last season, openly admitted that his former teammate has gotten better, a direct observation made after the two squared off on the field this past Wednesday.
When an All-Pro Speaks, You Listen
This wasn’t just some casual comment from a rookie. We’re talking about Quinyon Mitchell here, an Eagles cornerstone who earned first-team All-Pro honors last season. When a player of that caliber, with that kind of resume, makes a statement about an opponent’s game, you know it’s coming from a place of deep insight. The context here is huge, too: Mitchell and Brown weren’t always rivals. They were teammates for two full seasons, rocking the Eagles jersey together from 2024 to 2025. That’s two years of countless practice reps, understanding each other’s tendencies, their strengths, their tells. Mitchell knows Brown’s game probably better than anyone, having gone up against him in practice nearly every single day in that span. So when the Eagles traded Brown to the Patriots last spring, it set the stage for this very moment.
“Looked a Little Better. Looked a Little Faster.”
The big question on everyone’s mind after the joint practice was whether A.J. Brown was still the same player Mitchell had battled with for two years. And according to Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna, Mitchell’s response was blunt and telling. Mitchell said, straight up, “Looked a little better. Looked a little better. Looked a little faster. Like I said, he’s a great receiver.” Think about that. Not just “good” or “tough,” but better and faster. For a wide receiver who was already considered a star, to add speed to his game is a significant development. Mitchell’s admission isn’t just a compliment; it’s an acknowledgment that Brown has genuinely put in the work since leaving Philadelphia and demonstrably improved. It highlights that Brown clearly used his time post-trade to elevate his game even further, something he emphatically showed during that intense practice session against his old team.
The Preseason Showdown We Didn’t Know We Needed
So what does this all mean? It means this Saturday’s preseason game between the Patriots and the Eagles just got infinitely more interesting. Brown and the Patriots are set to face off against Mitchell and the Eagles. Assuming both of these star players take the field, it will mark the first time they’ve actually lined up opposite each other in a formal game setting in their entire careers. After Mitchell’s ringing endorsement of Brown’s improvement, you better believe every scout, every coach, and every fan will be glued to that matchup. Can Mitchell, the All-Pro, contain a now “faster” and “better” Brown? Will Brown prove Mitchell’s words true under the bright lights? This isn’t just a preseason tune-up anymore; it’s a personal duel with some serious bragging rights on the line. Get ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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