Before the 2026 NFL regular season even kicks off, let’s get one thing straight: the chatter around A.J. Brown being “washed up” is straight garbage. Seriously, you’d think he was a 30-something receiver coming off some dud season, not a guy still in his prime who just busted out another 1,000-yard campaign in 2025, even with the league’s most chaotic passing game. Brown is just 28, and the idea he’s past his prime is completely premature.
The League Slept on Brown in 2025? Think Again
Even through a super frustrating 2025, Brown was still showing why defenses fear him. This dude absolutely destroys press-man coverage, just dunking on cornerbacks in one-on-one downfield situations. Next Gen Stats backed it up, too: only Tee Higgins and George Pickens tallied more receiving yards against press coverage that year. Sure, maybe he’s lost a step, not hitting 20 mph on a play in almost two seasons, but who cares when he can still create quick separation on short routes with pure physicality and insane route running? He’s mastered the art of pushing off right at the legal five-yard mark, and it’s a thing of beauty. Opposing defenses were still treating him like the star he is, routinely giving him extra attention in obvious passing situations, whether it was a safety over the top or bracket coverage on in-breaking routes. In 2025, the quality and quantity of his tight-window targets dipped, with Jalen Hurts targeting him on only 41 such throws, his lowest in four years in Philly. His expected catch rate was just 53.5%, per Next Gen Stats. But guess what? He still hauled in over 60% of those passes. That’s pure contested catch prowess right there!
Drake Maye Is About to Unleash a Monster
That’s why I’m so hyped about Brown in 2026. This isn’t just about his skill, it’s about his new QB. Drake Maye was the league’s best quarterback on tight-window throws, leading the NFL in expected points added and completion percentage over expected by a massive margin. And he did that with Stefon Diggs, a guy who’s definitely past his prime, as his main target in those spots. Now, Maye has the league’s preeminent 50/50 ball winner out there with him. You really think he’s not gonna feel even more free to just let it rip on those tight window throws? This connection is going to be straight fire. And hey, this whole situation is also a real vote of confidence for guys like Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell.
Get ready for Brown to remind everyone who he is. When the season kicks off, prepare for him and Maye to light it up and put the league on notice that this “washed up” talk was total nonsense. This is going to be a season that has everyone talking!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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