Whether the Cleveland Browns are playing for the present or future, or both, is up for debate, given trading QB Joe Flacco and CB Greg Newsome II this week, in exchange for moving up and down in the 2026
NFL draft and CB Tyson Campbell. HC Kevin Stefanski’s future with the team does seem more up in the air than ever, with Week 6 providing a crucial evaluation for his hot seat.
What is obvious is that Cleveland’s offense needs a true WR1
.Enter the Philadelphia Eagles and WR AJ Brown. The Eagles lost on Thursday Night Football and rumors have already started that Brown’s fit with the offense could lead to a big move. Philadelphia’s GM Howie Roseman is never afraid of making a big trade and Browns GM Andrew Berry worked for the Eagles for a season.
A trade could come together easily given Cleveland’s NFL draft assets and defensive line depth. For example, DT Mike Hall Jr., WR Cedric Tillman and a Day 2 pick (with conditions) in the 2026 NFL draft might work well for both teams. Hall can help fortify the Eagles defensive line (if he shows he’s healthy in Week 6) while Tillman (currently on IR) provides a physical presence on the outside and Philadelphia gets a Top 100 pick.
The Browns get a top-level receiver with size to help QB Dillon Gabriel while holding on to their two first-round picks. Moving Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. down a peg in the pass-catching order also slots them all in more appropriately for their current skill level.
The problem? The NFL salary cap and not for Cleveland. They have the rollover cap and Brown’s deal would actually be cap-friendly (under $3 million combined for this season and next) for an acquiring team.
According to Over the Cap, trading Brown would cost the Eagles $16 million in cap space this season and almost $40 million next year due to the extension signed in 2024. Any type of adjustment to his contract would have to come prior to a trade, which could make things even more difficult for Philadelphia.
If Brown is frustrated with his role, the receiver might be willing to make whatever changes to his deal possible to find a place where he feels he can be used more often. With the creativity of Roseman and Berry, the two teams have the ability to make a deal happen.
Will it? Probably not. The Browns may not feel like they are one top receiver away from being competitive to give up two young assets and an important draft asset. The Eagles may not want to eat significant dead cap space to trade away a top-level receiver (even if they would receive younger assets). Brown would likely hold out for a chance to adjust his contract in order to be traded to a team that has a better history of winning (the Buffalo Bills could use a player like Brown for sure, but the cap becomes an even bigger issue in that case).
It may be fun to think about Cleveland getting a big, top-flight receiver, but Philadelphia’s contract structure with Brown, and the Browns struggles on the field, make a deal highly unlikely.
How much would you be willing to trade to acquire Brown in Cleveland? Is Hall, Tillman and a Top 100 pick too much/too little/just right?
Share your thoughts below
