New A.J. Brown Trade Rumors as Eagles & Patriots Haven’t Spoken in Weeks, Updated Timeline and Picks
The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots “are expected to reconnect” Monday regarding a trade involving star wide receiver A.J. Brown, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter reported on SportsCenter the teams “have not spoken in weeks.” However, the June 1 date everyone awaited is now here, so negotiations between New England and Philly could quickly accelerate:
“The two sides are expected to talk at some point today to pick back up the talks they had been having that they adjourned until June 1 due to the salary cap ramifications of trading A.J. Brown before June 1 or after June 1. Now that we’re after June 1, now that it is salary-cap friendly to do that, the Eagles can go ahead and strike a deal with the Patriots. It is still on track to happen. It is still on track to happen sooner rather than later. But again, the two sides have not spoken in weeks. They’ll go into the office this morning, reconnect. I would expect that shortly thereafter they’ll figure out a way to get this deal done.”
The NFL insider went on to say the trade could include a 2028 first-round pick going to the Eagles and that a broad agreement could be in place within 24 hours.
Trading Brown before Monday was simply unfeasible for the Eagles. The financial ramifications were far too burdensome. As a result, everyone involved has known how the saga will end but couldn’t say it out loud.
Now, Philly can move the three-time Pro Bowler while saving a little bit of money ($1.6 million) and spreading his dead money hit across the next two seasons.
Especially with the Patriots being the only team seriously in the race for Brown, his next team isn’t really in doubt. The only question is how long formal trade negotiations drag on.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported last week the Patriots and Eagles were “not particularly close” on the terms:
The MMQB’s Albert Breer presented a different narrative when appearing on NBC Sports Boston’s Early Edition.
“My understanding is the framework is in place for a trade to be made early next week that will make A.J. Brown a Patriot,” he said. “The exact terms, the details, I still think there are some things to be worked out there. But I think it would sort of take someone backing out at this point, whether it’s the Eagles or the Patriots, for it not to happen.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also reported Sunday on SportsCenter the Pats “remain confident that they can get this deal done.”
Given where Brown’s market stands, New England could attempt to drive a hard bargain. There aren’t any other suitors Philly can use as leverage.
But the Patriots are incentivized to get Brown into the building as early as possible so he can start building an on-field relationship with quarterback Drake Maye.
