AJ Brown only hauled in three catches for a measly 27 yards and zero touchdowns in the Patriots’ 26-19 win over the Jets on Sunday, but a legendary New England wideout has a message for him that should grab everyone’s attention. After watching Brown’s quiet performance, Patriots legend Julian Edelman took to the internet with a six-word declaration: “AJ rusty. He will find it.”
That ‘Rusty’ Call Comes With History
Edelman’s take isn’t just some casual comment; it comes from a guy who knows what it means to grind in New England. He played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Patriots, racking up a Super Bowl-winning career that included 620 catches, 6,822 receiving yards, and 36 touchdown receptions after being a seventh-round pick out of Kent State in 2009. So, when he says Brown is “rusty,” you better believe he sees the potential for more. Brown’s limited showing against the Jets was his return to the New England offense after suffering a right ankle sprain in the season opener. He’s clearly working his way back into shape, and Edelman seems to be signaling that patience is key. Brown, who always wanted to play for the storied franchise, is now getting that chance after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Why Brown’s Past Says Edelman Is Spot On
This isn’t Brown’s first rodeo, either. He’s in his eighth NFL season, having spent three with the Tennessee Titans before four seasons with the Eagles. His track record is ridiculous: 1,000-yard receiving seasons in two of his three years with the Titans and *all four* seasons with Philadelphia. He even had 11 touchdown receptions in his second year with the Titans and his first year as an Eagle. Last season with the Eagles, Brown graded out to a 79.9 on the PFN NFL WR Impact Metric, targeted 121 times by quarterback Jalen Hurts, accounting for 25.9% of the team’s targets in games he played. He averaged 3.4 yards after catch for Philadelphia, proving he was one of Hurts’ most respected targets. While tension grew between Brown and the Eagles as he pushed for a trade, this is a fresh start with a franchise he’s long admired. Edelman clearly believes that once Brown truly settles into the Patriots’ style of play, his production will absolutely pick up.
Brown will look to shake off that rust fast. The Patriots are back on the field in Week 7 for a short turnaround against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football.
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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