Curtis Says A.J. Brown Trade Hurts More
WEEI host Chris Curtis argues the Patriots' trade for A.J. Brown was more damaging than the Antonio Brown signing.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
WEEI host Chris Curtis called the Patriots' acquisition of A.J. Brown more damaging than the earlier signing of Antonio Brown. The Patriots surrendered a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick to Philadelphia to acquire A.J. Brown.
Why it matters
The comparison centers on the cost of draft capital spent on A.J. Brown against the minimal draft compensation the Patriots gave up to sign Antonio Brown in 2019. For Massachusetts fans following the team, the debate turns on whether recent roster moves have delivered value.
The Patriots gave up a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick to acquire A.J. Brown, while giving up no draft compensation to sign Antonio Brown. Antonio Brown played one game for New England, recording four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.
The players
Chris Curtis
Curtis is a WEEI sports radio host who offered the comparison between the two Brown acquisitions.
A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown is a veteran wide receiver whom the Patriots acquired from Philadelphia at the cost of two draft picks.
Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown is a former NFL wide receiver whom the Patriots signed in 2019 after his release from the Oakland Raiders.
The details
Curtis made the comparison on The Greg Hill Show on November 6, 2026. He pointed to A.J. Brown's lack of touchdowns and few first downs for New England, and to a degenerative knee condition.
Timeline
2019: The Patriots signed Antonio Brown after his release from the Oakland Raiders.
November 6, 2026: Curtis made the comparison on The Greg Hill Show.
Season Trajectory
The debate follows the Patriots' 2019 signing of Antonio Brown, which cost no draft capital and produced one game for New England. Measured against that precedent, the cost of two draft picks for A.J. Brown raises questions about how the team's recent acquisitions are being valued.
The trade cost the Patriots a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick, which affects future roster flexibility. A.J. Brown is not expected to play again this season, so fantasy and depth-chart expectations for New England's receivers should be adjusted accordingly.
The takeaway
Roster moves are judged by their full cost, including draft picks surrendered and the health of the player acquired. The comparison shows how a low-cost signing can be measured against a more expensive trade that has produced little on the field.
Further reading
For more on the team's moves, see Football coverage across Massachusetts.
