Broncos projected to give up third-year linebacker as part of massive trade to get A.J. Brown

Each year, the NFL offseason is full of speculation and fun predictions. Those predictions generally center around which teams will land the biggest free agents on the market and which teams will draft the top college players. However, the offseason can be a great time to think about trades.

The Denver Broncos should be in the market for a top-flight wide receiver. The Philadelphia Eagles have one of those in A.J. Brown and it seems that the two sides are headed for a divorce. Though the Eagles and Brown could continue to work together, it’s questionable as to whether either side is interested in that at this point.

It doesn’t take much to connect the dots between the Broncos need and the potential availability of Brown. That led to Moe Moton of Bleacher Report putting together some possible trade packages for teams to acquire Brown and the Broncos are in that mix. In each of these proposals, the Eagles are able to acquire a high pick in the upcoming draft and a player from the team they send Brown to.

Proposed Broncos-Eagles trade for A.J. Brown

Here was Moton’s analysis:

Denver Broncos Get: WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, Edge Jonah Elliss

“Over the past year, the Denver Broncos have tried to bolster their receiver unit with a premier talent.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Denver was in the mix to sign Stefon Diggs during free agency last offseason, but he chose the New England Patriots. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Broncos “reached out” to the Miami Dolphins about Jaylen Waddle’s availability before the 2025 trade deadline.

Reportedly in search of a top receiver, Denver may be interested in a deal for Brown. Equipped with $28.9 million in cap space, the Broncos wouldn’t need to move around big contracts to fit the wide receiver’s deal under the cap.

Brown could open up the Denver offense with his ability to stretch the field. Troy Franklin has the speed, but he’s averaging just 10.5 yards per reception. Entering his age-31 term, Courtland Sutton could show some signs of decline. Brown can elevate the Broncos’ mediocre pass-catching unit.

Logical thinking says the Eagles would want a receiver in exchange for Brown, but general manager Howie Roseman tends to stockpile offensive and defensive linemen.

The Eagles have five edge-rushers with expiring contracts: Jaelan Phillips, Azeez Ojulari, Brandon Graham, Josh Uche and Ogbo Okoronkwo. At 37, Graham would play another season if Roseman wants him back, but Philadelphia would still need more help on the edge.

Jonah Elliss can be a rotational pass-rusher and develop into a three-down playmaker. In each of his first two seasons, he played just 38 percent of the defensive snaps, logging 66 tackles, 12 for loss, 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures. The 22-year-old is behind Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper on the depth chart. In Philadelphia, he could reach his full potential in an expanded role.”

This would be an expensive trade for the Broncos to make, but one many fans within Broncos Country would sign off on.

Jonah Elliss is a promising player, but he will stay in a reserve role with Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper ahead of him on the depth chart. The Broncos won’t be able to find a better receiver than Brown in this draft, which is not a strong class, so trading away a second-round pick would not be the end of the world.

Jason Kelce on a perceived lack of effort from A.J. Brown this season:

“He’s just unfortunately a player who allows his internal frustrations to manifest into his play, and it makes him play worse and makes the offense worse.” pic.twitter.com/tsQxzKH1np

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 12, 2026

The big question would come down to whether or not Brown would fit in Denver’s locker room. Though his talent can’t be denied, he has seemed to take issue with the ball not coming his way enough in Philadelphia. That can cause a distraction that Sean Payton won’t tolerate.

Brown has posted big numbers in his career, catching 524 passes for 8,029 yards and 56 touchdowns. He is one of the best receivers of his era, but after catching 106 passes in 2023, he hasn’t exceeded 80 receptions in either of the past two seasons in Philly.

MORE: Why the Broncos should show no interest in free-agent tight end David Njoku

It seems as though a change of scenery is in order. Could that be in Denver?

Broncos projected to give up third-year linebacker as part of massive trade to get A.J. Brown

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