What has long been expected was underscored once again on Monday morning with NFL insider Adam Schefter leading his “2026 NFL draft intel” ESPN column by reporting that the Philadelphia Eagles are likely trading A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in June.
Here’s exactly what Schefter had to say (bold emphasis mine):
No matter what happens at this week’s draft, an A.J. Brown trade to the Patriots is still on the table and still tracking to happen on or after June 1, per league sources. The two sides
have discussed a deal, but neither has been willing to commit to it until after June 1, when Brown’s $40 million salary cap charge would be split between this and next year.
All the elements remain in place to make it happen, and Brown to the Patriots is still the likely outcome … just not during this week’s draft, per sources. Put the trade on hold just for now, but things will soon quickly warm back up. The Eagles remain open to trading Brown, the Patriots remain highly interested in acquiring the star receiver, and conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1, probably culminating in a deal, per league sources.
As one source said about the Patriots’ pursuit of Brown, they’ll “definitely be engaging then.”
It’s not like this reporting contains brand new information. But it reemphasizes what has been suspected for some time now.
As Bleeding Green Nation’s own reporting has indicated, which has only been further corroborated, Brown has been asking out since early last season. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Eagles have to trade him … but I don’t think the team is interested in another season where Brown looks frustrated and checked out. Besides, it’s clear they’ve been preparing for his departure by signing Hollywood Brown and trading for Dontayvion Wicks to go with new undisputed WR1 DeVonta Smith. The Eagles will likely look to add even more wide receiver talent via the 2026 NFL Draft.
So, what kind of compensation can the Eagles expect to land for Brown? The specifics on that much still remain unclear. But Schefter’s reporting notes that 2027 and 2028 draft picks are the focus. Howie Roseman seemingly values future selections more than other franchises do. Take the Haason Reddick trade, for example, where the Eagles sent out their pass rusher in March 2024 for a third-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft (turned out to be No. 68 overall).
Schefter did not entirely rule out that another team could make a play for Brown. But he ended his section on the star wide receiver’s future by stating that “multiple sources say they believe Brown and the Patriots are likely to become a tandem.”
It’s not fun to think that Brown’s time with the Eagles is over since he’s largely been a pretty awesome player — not to mention a Super Bowl LIX champion — for them. He’s had a case for being considered as the best wide receiver in the NFL at times during his tenure. Unfortunately, both sides seem to believe it’s in the best interest to move on.
For now, we continue to be in a holding pattern until this deal finally becomes official.
