Patriots veterans add even more fuel to ongoing A.J. Brown speculation

Some NFL rumors die quietly. Others apparently refuse to leave the group chat. The never-ending speculation connecting Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots falls squarely into the latter category.

And honestly? It isn't difficult to understand why.

The connective tissue practically writes itself. Brown has openly spoken about growing up a Patriots fan. Mike Vrabel once coached him while both were with the Tennessee Titans. Kevin Byard knows him well, as they were teammates in both the Titans and Eagles locker rooms.

Romeo Doubs now finds himself fielding questions about a receiver who doesn't even play for his team. At some point, rumors stop feeling random and start feeling like an offseason tradition. Doubs and Byard recently addressed the chatter and offered exactly the type of diplomatic responses you'd expect to hear.

Patriots players aren't exactly shutting the door on the A.J. Brown conversation.

They were respectful, measured, and entirely noncommittal. That's the best way to describe Romeo Doubs and Kevin Byard when both were asked the inevitable A.J. Brown conversation. Doubs praised Brown's resume and acknowledged the rumors. He essentially said he'd gladly welcome the talent if things somehow broke that way. Byard struck a similar tone, but one that probably carries a little more intrigue.