Members of the Philadelphia Eagles organization have repeatedly stated at the NFL’s annual league meetings this week that wide receiver A.J. Brown remains as member of the Eagles.
Mike Vrabel, though, would very likely prefer Brown be a member of the New England Patriots.
Vrabel didn’t flat out state that while talking to the media Tuesday. But the Patriots head coach didn’t rule out a trade for Brown and emphasized how much he still wants to improve the team’s roster.
“We’ve talked about this since last January. We’re going to try to do everything we can to strengthen our roster through the draft, through free agency, multiple ways of player acquisition,” said Vrabel, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“So anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do.”
Mike Vrabel Address A.J. Brown Trade Amid Offseason Speculation
Pundits have linked the Patriots to the Eagles receiver through trade rumors throughout the offseason.
New England signed veteran wideout Romeo Doubs to a 4-year, $68 million contract. But the Patriots also released the team’s 2025 top receiver Stefon Diggs.
Vrabel spoke highly of receivers the Patriots have returning. That group includes Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams, all of whom are 25 years old or younger.
Developing all three of those receivers, along with the arrival of Doubs, could be how New England plans to replace Diggs.
“It’s literally about targets, the efficiency,” Vrabel added, via Reiss. “We all appreciate what Stef did and I really loved being able to coach him — the efficiency in which he was able to catch the ball was impressive.
“So whether that’s Drake’s accuracy, ball location or Stef’s ability to catch it, that’s something that we’ll have to recreate. I’m not worried about the catches and the overall production. I think we can recreate that. We just have to be very mindful that the efficiency in which we throw and catch it is important.”
But Vrabel made it clear that he’s not ruling out a trade for Brown.
Such a move would obviously make the Patriots better, which is Vrabel’s ultimate goal this offseason. Brown posted 78 catches for 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season in what most considered a “down year.”
Over the past four seasons, Brown has averaged 85 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns per campaign.
Brown played the first three seasons of his career for Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans.
What the Philadelphia Eagles Are Saying About Possible Brown Trade
Vrabel’s comments on a potential Brown trade came a day after Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters at the NFL’s annual league meetings that “A.J. Brown is an Eagle.”
Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman started that sentiment to the media Sunday.
“I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story. Unfortunately, I don’t have a home under a rock. But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is that A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles,” said Roseman, via NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro.
Clearly, the Eagles are standing strong on their claim that they don’t have to trade Brown. The team is likely doing that to get as much compensation out of a potential trade as possible.
The Eagles also have reasons to drag their feet on a potential trade. A Brown deal after June 1 would be much better for their salary cap situation.
If Philadelphia trades Brown before June 1, the Eagles will accept a $43.44 million dead cap hit according to Over the Cap. That dead cap hit drops to $16.35 million after June 1.
For that reason, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported teams will have to wait to acquire Brown.
Most pundits consider the Patriots the front runners to land Brown if he is traded. The Los Angeles Rams are the other team pundits seem to consider a likely destination for the receiver.
Mike Vrabel Speaks out on Potential A.J. Brown Trade to Patriots