FOXBORO, Mass. — The last two days of practice have proven that it was way, way, way too early to panic about any lack of connection between Drake Maye and A.J. Brown early in Patriots training camp.

Maye hit Brown on 4 of 4 targets during Friday’s nearly two-hour padded practice. That came one day after Maye hit Brown on 4 of 5 targets during Thursday’s padded practice. Brown has now tripled his catch total over camp in the last two days after beginning the summer with just four catches in his first four practices.

So, what’s been the difference?

“Just giving more chances to him,” Maye said. “I think you see with the ball in his hands what he can do. So just finding more chances intermediate, short, deep, just not shying away from him. I’m not going to shy away from it. That’s how I play. I’m going to keep going at it, and it could be the fifth play in a row, I’m going to give him the rock. So, I think just finding a way to balance that with a player like him, and also you got Romeo (Doubs) and Pop (Douglas) and Hunter (Henry), and you got guys, Rhamondre (Stevenson), TreVeyon (Henderson). I got guys that can stress the defense. So, knowing the right play to make, first off, but also finding some time in training camp to give some chances that maybe in a game I may pass on that.”

Brown caught a touchdown in the corner of the end zone one-handed over cornerback Charles Woods during 7-on-7s. Maye hit Brown on a deep ball over cornerback Christian Gonzalez on his first pass of 11-on-11s. He later hit Brown on back-to-back short gains later in 11-on-11s from within the red zone.

It helps that Maye and Brown have a constant stream of conversation both on and off of the practice field.

The Patriots acquired Brown from the Eagles this offseason for a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-round pick. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver is under contract for four more years, so this could be a long-term partnership between Maye and Brown.

“I think just trying to get a feel for what he’s seeing, what I’m seeing, what he’s kind of feeling out there when he’s running routes in coverage,” Maye said of their on-field conversations. “We got some great competition. Him and Gonzo are going back and forth and going at it, so it’s great for us to talk and pull up some old things that he’s run and how he liked to run them and what he liked to do in the routes and kind of different looks.

“So it’s just trying to feel the connectivity building. … And I think you’re just seeing it get better every day. And I think that’s the best thing about training camp is what you use it for. And I’m blessed to play with a player like him, and looking forward to give him the rock and see him do his thing.”

It’s not just Brown that Maye is connecting with. He’s 19 of 21 in 11-on-11s over the last two days, and he was 7 of 8 in 7-on-7s Friday.

He’s had success targeting Doubs, Douglas, Henry, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and rookie tight end Eli Raridon, as well.

“I think you find that during training camp. You try to find a rhythm,” Maye said. “I feel like being accurate is kind of one of the number one things of playing quarterback and putting the ball in the right spot and giving our guys chances, and that’s what I’m doing. And our guys are making plays, and I think the biggest thing for us is finding positive plays in the run game, passing game. And for me, it’s getting started early. It’s like when I used to play basketball and just come out and try to shoot a three, get a layup, get to the free-throw line. But at the same time, I love taking a shot early. So, trying to balance that.”

Maye finished second in MVP voting in just his second NFL season last year. The Patriots have a better arsenal of pass-catchers after adding Brown and Doubs, and their offensive line should also be improved after signing left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and drafting offensive tackle Caleb Lomu.

So, Maye could continue his ascension in 2026 despite a tougher overall schedule.

Maybe next year, everyone can point to this summer’s slow start between Maye and Brown as a sign not to overreact to training camp too early.

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