A.J. Brown’s final moments with the Philadelphia Eagles weren’t memories he’ll be fond of. He had three receptions for 25 yards and a costly drop that could’ve easily flipped the game script as well as the score. Instead, the 49ers marched on while the Eagles’ season ended.
The Eagles are on the 49ers’ schedule again this season. However, Brown won’t be on the roster. The long-awaited trade is finally complete, sending Brown to the New England Patriots, contingent on Brown passing a physical.
New England
receives Brown, while the Eagles get a 2028 1st-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The Patriots keep their first-rounder in a loaded class next year. Philadelphia will save around $50 million by dealing Brown.
The Eagles feel like a prime regression candidate this season. DeVonta Smith moves to the WR1 role. He’s as good if not better than advertised. However, rookie Makai Lemon would then need to fill either Brown or Smith’s shoes. Good luck with that. Add in an offensive line that is seemingly always banged up, with a quarterback who isn’t decisive, and it puts a lot of pressure on Vic Fangio’s defense to be flawless.
Hot take: The Eagles will be on the brink, if not out of, the playoff picture by the time they travel to Santa Clara in December.
