New England Patriots star wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to have a big year in 2026, but is he to be looked at as a favorite to win the AP Offensive Player of the Year award?
According to the NFL’s Bucky Brooks, Brown is a long-shot candidate to win next season’s OPOY award with a prolific stat line to show for.
“With Brown slotted into the WR1 role — and surrounded by a collection of pass catchers with diverse games (possession receiver Romeo Doubs, designated deep threat Kyle Williams, dirty-work specialist Mack Hollins) — the three-time second-team All-Pro could produce a spectacular stat line that pushes him close to the 2,000-yard mark,” Brooks wrote. “Moreover, a bounce-back campaign would silence Brown’s critics and put the spotlight back on his dynamic game.”
Brown went for 1,496 scrimmage yards in 2022, which was a career-high number for him, and he finished No. 11 in OPOY voting that year. Given the fact that Brown has never rushed for over 60 yards in a season, coupled with the presence of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson in the offensive backfield, a 2,000-yard season will be quite the milestone for the Patriots’ new WR1 to achieve next season.
While Brown has much competition for opportunities on offense in New England, a career year will not be an impossibility for him to achieve if he’s given a workload to do so. Being in line with over 150 targets might be needed for him to amass enough yardage to garner the award.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Is Patriots WR A.J. Brown dark horse to win 2026 offensive MVP award?
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