Potential A.J. Brown trade still looms over Eagles, Patriots as NFL Draft approaches
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- A.J. Brown is expected to be traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots after June 1, when a trade becomes more salary-cap manageable for the Eagles, according to NFL executives and reports.
- Trading Brown before June 1 would result in a $43.4 million salary-cap hit for the Eagles, whereas a post-June 1 trade would allow the cap hit to be split over two seasons, reducing it to $16.3 million against the 2026 cap.
- The Eagles have remained publicly noncommittal about Brown's future but have actively added wide receivers this offseason, including acquiring Dontayvion Wicks and signing Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore, signaling a potential shift in their receiving corps.
- The Patriots have expressed strong interest in Brown, with coach Mike Vrabel praising him personally and professionally, and see acquiring Brown as a key move to address their wide receiver needs and build on their recent Super Bowl run.
- The Eagles' offseason program started Monday with voluntary activities, but Brown is not expected to attend early sessions; mandatory team activities begin June 9, after the likely trade window opens.
