A.J. Brown’s third game in a Patriots uniform was arguably his most successful to date as he had three receptions for a season-high 48 yards in last night’s loss to the Bears. But there was one play where he wasn’t even the target that some NFL fans are starting to criticize him for.
Early in the second quarter after the Bears had taken a 10-0 lead, the Patriots were in the redzone and the play called for running back Rhamondre Stevenson to run up the left side. Brown was a blocker on the play. The only problem is, he really didn’t seem to put a whole lot of effort into it.
Brown and the Bears defender made contact for about five yards before the defender easily broke free and helped make the tackle on Stevenson at the 5-yard line. Had Brown held the block, Stevenson almost certainly would have scored.
The Patriots would score a touchdown two plays later, but if they hadn’t scored, there would probably have been a lot more anger being thrown Brown’s way.
Fans were not impressed by the effort.
Even though the drive resulted in a touchdown, fans gave Brown a real piece of their minds and criticized him for what they perceived as a lack of effort.
“Death. Taxes. And AJ Brown giving up on a play because it doesn’t involve him,” one fan on X remarked.
“It’s absolutely amazing seeing someone play football at this level who is such a specimen he can still be out there on the field getting starting reps while simultaneously appearing he could care less about being there,” wrote another. “It’s frankly amazing.”
“That’s who he is unfortunately,” a third wrote.
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
Injuries have limited Brown to just two-and-a-half games thus far but the time he has spent on the field has still been a bit underwhelming. He has nine receptions for 101 yards and a fumble thus far and has yet to go over three catches in a game.
Maybe Brown will heat up as the season continues, but we’re already one-third of the way through. He’ll need that big game to come soon.
