Led by MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams have one of the top passing offenses in the NFL.
And if the team had it their way, it would be even more feared in 2026.
But after the latest report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, it seems the Rams’ pursuit of Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown has hit a (potentially permanent) roadblock.
Rams-A.J. Brown Trade Takes Disappointing Turn
GettyIt appears the Los Angeles Rams’ bid to trade for Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown has hit a snag
Given his relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, the Pats had been favored to acquire Brown, who’s made it known he’s not happy with the Eagles and wants out of Philadelphia.
But over the last week, the Rams had emerged as a wild card team to potentially swoop in and snag the 1,000-yard wideout out from under the Patriots’ noses.
But as Russini tells it, the Eagles have decided to hang onto Brown for the time being (and potentially permanently).
“After serious conversations with both the Rams and Patriots, the Eagles will not trade A.J. Brown at this time, according to multiple league sources,” Russini reported. “Both teams remain interested, but no move is imminent. If a trade were to happen, it would likely heat up closer to June 1.”
Russini’s report confirms what fellow NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported earlier Friday morning.
“Several teams remain interested in acquiring Eagles star receiver AJ Brown, according to NFL sources,” La Canfora stated. “But general managers are steadfast that Philadelphia is showing no signs of coming off a very steep price for him and many executives remain unconvinced he will end up dealt.
“… Trading Brown before June 1 would cause the Eagles to incur a massive cap charge. Brown is clearly unhappy with the situation and league sources maintain he would relish a change of scenery. It’s difficult to see that happening in the near future, however.”
La Canfora also revealed an anonymous NFL general manager stated he believed if the Eagles did move Brown, it almost certainly wouldn’t come until after June 1.
The Deck Was Always Stacked Against the Rams
The Eagles set a remarkably high asking price of first- and second-round picks plus a player in exchange for Brown.
The Rams have a first-round pick in 2026 and 2027 to use (they traded away one 2026 first-rounder to the Kansas City Chiefs for star cornerback Trent McDuffie last week), and it’s been reported the Eagles prefer the first-rounder to be next year in a loaded 2027 draft class.
Russini stated that high asking price for Brown may have thwarted the Eagles’ plan to create a bidding war among interested teams.
“A league source believed the Eagles were trying to get multiple teams competing for Brown before free agency began, but with an incredibly high asking price, early on, the receiver market moved elsewhere,” Russini wrote. “With the Buffalo Bills trading for DJ Moore and New England signing Romeo Doubs as free agency began. The Rams continued to wait and monitor Brown’s situation.”
The Eagles have been insistent they don’t want to trade Brown, only field trade calls because he made such a public display out of wanting out of town.
With Philadelphia digging its heels in, it’s possible Brown may not be going anywhere.
Rams Get Unfortunate News in Trade Pursuit of All-Pro WR AJ Brown