The Philadelphia Eagles need to decide soon on whether they want to keep wide receiver A.J. Brown as part of their offensive plans for 2026. The mercurial playmaker is among the top candidates to get traded in a blockbuster deal in the NFL offseason.

Although the team hired a new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, to help them restore a top down field passing game with Jalen Hurts, they can still consider moving Brown should the right offer come along.

Here’s looking at the teams to watch most for landing Brown:

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A.J. Brown’s 5 best trade fits1. New Orleans Saints

Brown reuniting with former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore makes a lot of sense. The Saints need to hack away with their latest salary cap issues, but they should be interested in making room for Brown as the ideal big-play No. 1 for strong-armed second-year QB Tyler Shough. Brown and Chris Olave would be a tough 1-2 punch in the passing game, resetting New Orleans’ offensive ceiling.

The Saints could use the No. 8 overall pick to trade for Brown if needed and if not, they can offer a package that includes No. 42 overall in the second round. This would be a big, immediate impact move for the Saints to improve with no transition needed for Brown.

2. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders need to work on their offensive line most for presumed No. 1 overall pick, rookie starting QB Fernando Mendoza. They already have a couple of top-flight first-round playmakers in running back Asthon Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. The missing piece is a go-to wide receiver as they have parted ways with Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers in the middle of the past two seasons. Giving Mendoza a weapon of Brown’s caliber to stretch the field would better open up the rushing attack for Jeanty and the intermediate passing routes for Bowers. 

The Raiders have a ton of money under the cap to lock up Brown with a contract extension and should be able to be make it work to acquire him in a package that involves their second-round pick (No. 36 overall).

3. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are blowing up their receiving corps with Brandon Aiyuk set to be dealt and Jauan Jennings primed to depart in free agency. They also don’t know when tight end George Kittle can get to full speed from his late Achilles’ injury. Brock Purdy is in a tough spot with his weapons beyond Christian McCaffrey and third-year first-rounder Ricky Perasall. If Philadelphia could work a trade with a fellow NFC playoff team, then this would make sense.

Brown would take over as the Niners’ top wideout and mesh well with Purdy’s deep passing accuracy. San Francisco can offer the No. 27 overall pick in the first round for Brown and it can also make it work salary-wise, already being more than $40 million under the cap.

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4. New England Patriots

The Patriots improved by 10 games and got to Super Bowl 60 in part because they were rather aggressive in spending in free agency at the right spots, including signing former Eagles’ defensive tackle Milton Williams. Now they should be looking at Philadelphia again to give Drake Maye, another accurate downfield passer, a true big-play No. 1 to help upgrade from the mix of Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins.

New England should be OK parting ways with the No. 31 overall pick in the first round as part of the Eagles’ compensation. The Patriots can also provide a solid former Titans reunion between Brown and coach Mike Vrabel.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers would be the dark horse of the group, but there’s some appeal to having Brown reunite with former Ole Miss teammate DK Metcalf and give Aaron Rodgers a pair of dangerous downfield targets. Brown can take over as a more reliable No. 1 and set up Metcalf to operate better as a No. 2 with more favorable coverage outside and inside.

Pittsburgh can be the most aggressive and offer the No. 21 overall pick in a deal to land Brown. The team can also splurge a little, being around $45 million under the salary cap.