Brown also cherishes his relationship with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, even though it didn’t get off to a great start when he first entered the NFL in 2019.
“My first impression? Oh, I didn’t like (Vrabel). I can tell,” Brown said. “But what has it grown into? He’s a great guy. He’s a great guy and he coaches well. He holds his guys accountable. I don’t say that lightly. He really does. He leads this group, he leads the team, and honestly, I believe he’s daring anybody to challenge him. He still thinks he can play.”
Although Brown knows less about Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the two have already spoken, with Brown saying McDaniels “gave me a lot of ideas.”
Asked what kind of role in the offense Brown would need to feel fulfilled, he said, “I’m fulfilled right now.”
Brown is even turning the clock back on his signature number, going from No. 11 in Tennessee and Philly to No. 1 in New England — the number he wore at Ole Miss and before that. Former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman gave Brown his blessing to wear No. 11, but Brown was nostalgic.
“Just getting back to my roots, you know?
Brown’s arrival in New England happened more than six years after he first envisioned it. It was longer than he or Patriots fans wanted to wait, and even June 1 took a while to arrive. But now that it’s here and Brown is settled in New England, he’s ready to go.
“To the fans, it’s about time. Better late than never. We’re on time,” he said. “I’m excited and I can’t wait to get out there at Gillette Stadium and hear the crowd and play and have fun.”