Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
The Eagles fleeced the Patriots in the A.J. Brown trade – PhillyVoice When the Eagles traded for Brown four years ago during the 2022 draft, the cost was first- and third-round picks. He was only 24 years old at the time. That trade has already long since been deemed a successful one by the Eagles, and a disastrous one for the Titans, who fired GM Jon Robinson two days after Brown went off for 8 catches for 119 yards and 2 TDs against the Titans later
that season. The Eagles got four years of Brown’s prime, and he amassed more than 5,000 receiving yards during his Eagles tenure. The Eagles also made the playoffs all four of those seasons, went to two Super Bowls, and won one. If Brown had simply retired this offseason, that trade would still be a resounding success. But, on the back end of Brown’s tenure, Roseman was still able to land first- and fifth-round picks in return. In other words, Roseman more or less got four years of a potential Hall of Famer’s prime for a swap of third- and fifth-round picks, and are now shipping out the aging, declining, recently disinterested version of him to a franchise that is probably delusional about its recent success for more than he is worth. And he did it even though every single team in the NFL knew that there was only one team interested.
Did the Patriots overpay for A.J. Brown? – PFT
All in all, the transaction was a big win for the Eagles. Especially on the back end, when it had become obvious that the relationship could not continue. The Eagles finagled real value for Brown at a time when the Eagles had no real options. No one was offering a first-round pick for Brown in 2027 — in part because everyone knew Brown wanted to go to New England, and only to New England. With the Eagles unable to credibly claim that they simply would have kept Brown on the team in 2026 (after signing two receivers, trading for one, and using a first-round pick on another), the Patriots arguably could have driven a much harder bargain. Ultimately, Philly’s only leverage came from the timing of the deal. By doing it promptly on June 1, the Patriots got Brown in the door with two weeks of OTAs and a mandatory minicamp remaining in the offseason program. This gives Brown a chance to get his feet wet in the Josh McDaniels offense before training camp opens.
Pay me now or pay me later – Paul Domowitch Substack
Aside from getting it a year later, history suggests that the Patriots’ 2028 first-round pick will have virtually the same value as their 2027 first-round pick as far as where in the round that selection will be. The average record of the last 30 Super Bowl runner-ups the year after they played for the Lombardi Trophy has been 9-7. The average record of the last 30 Super Bowl runner-ups two years later: also 9-7. Eighteen of the last 30 Super Bowl losers made the playoffs the next year, which is the same number that made it two years after they lost. NFL teams do draft studies two years in advance. So the Eagles have a vague idea of the potential quality of the 2028 draft compared to next year’s. But it’s virtually impossible for them to know whether the players that might be available to them at, say, No. 23, two years from now are going to be any better than the group that will be at that spot next year. Under Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles long have followed the philosophy of sustainability. Build a team that can remain competitive year in and year out rather than one with highs and rebuilding lows. Roseman always is looking at the Eagles’ roster two, three and even four years out.
Patriots 2026 scouting report for WR A.J. Brown – Pats Pulpit
Weaknesses: Entering his eighth season in the league, Brown has plenty of tread on his tires and there are some concerns about the state of his knees; he has had multiple knee issues during his career so far and missed time in 2025 because of two separate hamstring injuries. Besides those questions, he also showed some signs of decline last season, with his success rates against man, press-man and zone coverage — using data provided by must-follow analyst Matt Harmon’s Reception Perception — all taking a step back compared to his previous campaigns as an Eagle. He also was far less effective working downfield. That doesn’t mean he was no longer good, he just wasn’t as good as NFL fans and analysts have become accustomed to. Based on his most recent tape, Brown has started showing some concrete signs of decline; the question is whether, or how much, a change of scenery will slow that process.
Albert Breer’s Mailbag: What a Potential Aaron Donald Return Could Look Like – SI
From Anthony Calitri (@EastCosaNostra): What Are Your Thoughts On The A.J. Brown Trade? Anthony, I think for the Eagles, it was simply time. Last year was a slog. Even the Super Bowl year was a little complicated. Philly got everything it could out of Brown, and to get a first-round pick, even if it’s one that’s two years off, for Brown four years after trading that first-rounder for him is a coup. Also, DeVonta Smith is ready to be a No. 1, Dontayvion Wicks has a real ceiling coming in and Makai Lemon should be plug-and-play as a first-rounder. For the Patriots, I love the investment back into your young quarterback. That’s the first, and most important piece. But beyond just that, I do think landing Brown allows you to move your skill guys into roles more commensurate with who they are. Romeo Doubs has some untapped potential, like Wicks, but I don’t think he’s a No. 1. Kyle Williams has a chance to be really good, but he’s young. Hunter Henry and Pop Douglas are complementary pieces. Now, Brown allows them to shoulder the sort of load that they’re equipped for, and I do think the added downfield element Brown and you’d hope Williams give the Patriots should make TreVeyon Henderson even more dangerous as a space player.
Eagles trade A.J. Brown to Patriots: The fantasy fallout for Brown, Drake Maye, DeVonta Smith, and more – NBC Sports
The Eagles took Makai Lemon in the 2026 NFL Draft knowing they would soon be out of the A.J. Brown business after two years of moaning and groaning and pretending to read books on the bench as a passive-aggressive protest against the team that treated him very unfairly. Lemon, along with Dallas Goedert, should be primary beneficiaries of an AJB-less Eagles offense that is expected to feature elements of the McVay-Shanahan system in 2026 under new OC Sean Mannion. Goedert is particularly interesting in the barren wasteland that is the tight end position outside of the first couple options off the board. In the early 2024 games Brown missed, Goedert saw a target on 25 percent of his routes and averaged nearly three yards per route. Those are silly rates that you should remember if you pass on Brock Bowers and Trey McBride this summer and play the tight end waiting game.
Eagles release Brandon Graham as procedural move, re-sign Chandler Martin – BGN
All things considered, Graham was a quality rotational contributor last season after coming out of his brief retirement. He produced three sacks and two TFLs in 113 defensive snaps played over nine games. He also showed versatility to play at defensive tackle in addition to his normal role on the edge. Only five Eagles players produced more sacks than Graham in the 2025 regular season. […] From when Graham rejoined the Eagles in Week 9 through the end of the season in a playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, only Hunt, Dean, and Jalen Carter had more sacks than BG in that span.
‘It’s not that easy:’ Cooper DeJean figuring out how to play safety in the NFL – NBCSP
It’s easy to think of DeJean as a superman, capable of doing anything effortlessly. He’s the youngest all-pro in franchise history and the 5th-youngest defensive back ever to earn 1st-team all-pro honors. He’s also the youngest player in Super Bowl history to score a defensive touchdown and the 3rd-youngest to score any Super Bowl touchdown. But it’s not like he can just turn himself into a stud at safety. It’s going to take a lot of work this summer. “It’s not that easy,” he said. “I’m not just going out there and playing it at a high level. There’s still things to learn, and that’s what OTAs are for. “I’m trying to learn. Obviously, there’s a lot more space than playing nickel and even corner. You’re coming from top down and giving a lot of space to guys, whoever you’re covering. So it still is taking some getting used to. But I feel like I’ve prepared myself since I got here to be ready whenever my number was called to play that position.”
Dolphins add free agent wide receiver Jalen Reagor – The Phinsider
Reagor, a 2020 first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, bounced on and off the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad during the 2025 season but made no game-day appearances. He played eight games in 2024 for the Chargers, starting twice, and recorded seven receptions for 100 yards. During his career, the wideout has caught 86 passes for 1,037 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has 22 rushing attempts for 97 rushing yards and no scores. As a returner, Reagor has scored two total touchdowns — one via a punt return and one via a kick return. He has not scored an NFL touchdown since the 2023 season. The TCU product has also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots over the past six years. His best season came as a rookie, when he caught 31 passes for 396 yards and a touchdown with the Eagles.
ESPN’s Football Power Index rankings has Dallas Cowboys near top 10 – Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys have improved a lot over the offseason. Another opinion that is shared is that nothing is won in the offseason. What looks and seems nice only goes so far, and ultimately the wins through the season and playoffs are what are going to define success. Given that we still have time until any games will be played the idle hands have to do something. Recently those from the worldwide leader put together a list as ESPN assembled their initial Football Power Index rankings of 2026 and released them on Wednesday. The Dallas Cowboys rank 11th.
Can Treylon Burks become a weapon in Washington Commanders WR corps? – Hogs Haven
Much of Washington’s post-draft talk has centered around finding a legitimate receiving option to pair opposite Terry McLaurin in David Blough’s new offense. There has been significant chatter about adding Brandon Aiyuk once he’s released from the death-grip John Lynch currently has on him. Although Aiyuk remains a realistic option, the pettiness to which San Francisco’s front office is operating may not allow him to become a part of the team until after September 1st, when he has a nearly $25 million roster bonus due. Stefon Diggs is another name who has been linked to Washington. The 32-year-old Gaithersburg, MD native is coming off an 85 reception, 1013 yards season with the AFC Champion New England Patriots and looks to have a little bit left in the tank. He’s been spotted around the DMV this offseason and has even hinted about his interest in joining the team. But what if that complementary piece to McLaurin is already on the roster?
Former NY Giants QB Russell Wilson confirms his retirement from football – Big Blue View
We found out after the season that Wilson played the game on a torn hamstring suffered in practice that he hid from the team. Wilson was benched in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart in Week 4, but remained a positive locker room presence who did what he could to help the team. That remained true even when he was demoted to QB3 in favor of Jameis Winston after Brian Daboll was fired mid-season. Both Wilson and Jameis Winston tried their hands at broadcasting during the Giants’ bye week last year. Both men acquitted themselves well as rookie broadcasters while their team was on a bye week. Once a Giant, always a Giant.
2026 NFL offseason: Early trade deadline candidates to move – ESPN
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, New York Giants. It feels like he has been on these types of lists forever, but the Giants haven’t traded him yet and still say he’s in their 2026 plans despite drafting Arvell Reese at No. 5. (Reese can play linebacker while the Giants sort out their options at edge rusher.) Thibodeaux is making $14.751 million this year in the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract. Teams aren’t too keen on the idea of that kind of money for a player whose playing time and production have tailed off since his big 2023 season (11.5 sacks). But if Thibodeaux starts strong and the Giants either aren’t contending or believe they should trade from a strength to fortify a weakness, other teams could take a look at the 25-year-old once there isn’t so much money left on his deal. I know New England is brought up every time we talk about teams that could be looking for edge rush help, but it does still feel like that’s what it needs. And you know the Giants aren’t trading him to the Cowboys!
Aaron Donald un-retiring to join Myles Garrett would be DIABOLICAL – SB Nation
The Los Angeles Rams are now the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl, and it’s not even close. Already a team pegged to be in the mix to win the Lombardi Trophy in 2027, the Rams took a huge step towards asserting their dominance over the NFL by trading for Myles Garrett on Monday. Adding the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to their roster is an embarrassment of riches, and now Sean McVay’s team might as well push their team beyond just winning this season and into the realm of something we have never seen before. The Rams should convince Aaron Donald to un-retire and re-join the team for their Super Bowl run. Sure, all signs point to Donald being happy in his early retirement — but not all guys remain in game shape two years after leaving football. A workout video posted by Donald over the weekend looks like he could step on the field right now and still dominate the league.
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