Wide receiver A.J. Brown remains a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. General manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni have utter those words repeatedly this offseason. But a lot of pundits have argued it’s only a matter of time until the Eagles trade Brown this offseason to the New England Patriots.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter essentially confirmed that notion Monday morning.
Schefter reported Brown “is likely to become” a member of the Patriots after June 1.
“The Eagles remain open to trading AJ Brown, the Patriots remain highly interested in acquiring the star receiver, and conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1, likely culminating in a deal, per league sources,” wrote Schefter on X.
“As one source said about the Patriots’ pursuit of Brown, they’ll ‘definitely be engaging then.’
“A trade to New England is now considered likely.”
The Patriots always appeared to be the most likely destination for the Eagles WR1 this offseason. Brown and the Eagles went through a drama-filled 2025 campaign last fall.
In New England, the Patriots could use a significant receiver upgrade. While they signed Romeo Doubs in NFL free agency, the Patriots also released 2025 leading receiver Stefon Diggs.
A post-June 1 trade with Brown makes a lot of sense for the Eagles. The team will have a significant salary cap advantage by waiting to deal the receiver after that date.
Patriots Remain Front Runners to Acquire A.J. Brown
GettyESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots are expected to engage in trade negotiations involving A.J. Brown on or just before June 1 with a trade “likely” to happen.
On Monday morning, Schefter continued to provide Eagles-Patriots updates on the Brown situation.
“The Patriots remain at the clear forefront of trade talks for AJ Brown, another team could always emerge, and there’s a lot of time between now and June 1,” wrote Schefter on X. “But as of today, multiple sources believe Brown and the Patriots are likely to become a tandem.”
Previously, pundits have floated the Los Angeles Rams as a potential Brown suitor. But on March 16, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio ruled out the Rams trying to acquire Brown.
On Monday, Schefter didn’t mention the Rams or any other team by name other than the Patriots in the trade discussion around the Eagles WR1.
Brown might have already been traded to the Patriots this offseason if it wasn’t for the salary cap ramifications the Eagles will get with a trade involving their top wideout.
After June 1, Brown will have a dead cap hit of $16.35 million in Philadelphia if the Eagles trade him according to Over the Cap.
If traded before June 1, his dead cap hit will be $43.44 million.
How Eagles Could Replace Brown in 2026 NFL Draft
GettyWide receiver A.J. Brown has been one of the best in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles the past four seasons.
While it’s not a foregone conclusion, Schefter’s report makes a Brown trade to New England the expectation this spring. Another way the Eagles could confirm a trade involving the receiver will happen is drafting a first-round wideout in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Eagles pundits have argued the team shouldn’t do that because they will lose trade leverage in negotiations with Brown. ESPN’s Mike Tannebaum, though, was in favor of Philadelphia adding a first-round wideout, arguing recently the team should target Washington’s Denzel Boston.
“Four-year starter, big physical receiver. He profiles like A.J. Brown,” Tannebaum said, via Word on the Birds. “Again, not saying he’s going to be, right? He’s a perfect complement to the undersized quickness of Hollywood Brown and Devonta Smith.
“So, I know we’re in the speculation game. If they would draft Denzel Boston, not saying they’re going to, but if they did, that would be a very meaningful sign about the future of AJ Brown in Philly.”
This offseason, the Eagles have added Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Elijah Moore. The team also has Devonta Smith in the receiver room in addition to A.J.
Boston would be another strong addition. The question is whether the Eagles are ready to officially signal they are ready to part with their All-Pro wideout.
Eagles Get Major A.J. Brown Trade Update Days Before 2026 NFL Draft: Report