Romeo Doubs’ debut for the Patriots was a total gut punch, and now, with top wide receiver A.J. Brown sidelined, Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers is suddenly everything for him. The veteran wide receiver, who signed a 4-year, $68 million contract in free agency, saw three targets in his first game, failing to corral any of them. That included a fourth-quarter drop that led to an interception, plus another target in his direction that was also picked off. Talk about a brutal welcome back.
No Catches, But Zero Panic
After a start like that, you’d expect some serious head-shaking, but Doubs is already moving on. “What happened in the past must stay in the past,” he said Thursday, looking to put it behind him. And here’s the wild part: head coach Mike Vrabel is surprisingly chill about the whole thing. He’s not worried, not one bit. Vrabel summed it up, saying, “He dropped a pass. … Everybody drops a pass. Everybody misses a tackle.” He just told Doubs to “Figure out a way to make a play to help us win.” Vrabel also reminded everyone that Doubs did “a lot of great things during camp,” so the belief is clearly there.
Top Spot, Big Pressure
The pressure on Doubs just went through the roof. A.J. Brown is out for at least four weeks with a high-ankle sprain, which means Doubs is now atop the depth chart, ahead of Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III. This isn’t just about a bad debut anymore, it’s about leading the entire receiving corps. Quarterback Drake Maye is clearly in his corner, stating, “You guys saw it in camp, and his ability to make plays.” Maye added that Doubs “has had a great response this week.” Doubs himself sounds ready, declaring, “I have a ton of confidence in myself, but I look forward to keeping my humility sane and doing what I do.”
So, Doubs is 26 years old and has a massive opportunity staring him down this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s got the coach’s backing, the quarterback’s trust, and a big contract to live up to. This isn’t just about bouncing back from one ugly game; it’s about stepping up when his team needs him most. He said Week 2 “It’ll be exciting,” and honestly, for him, it absolutely has to be.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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