PHOENIX — Howie Roseman returned to the same message whenever the Philadelphia Eagles general manager was asked a question about star wide receiver A.J. Brown: “A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles.”

Brown has been the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason. Roseman, who spoke to reporters Sunday ahead of the NFL league meetings for the first time since the start of free agency, understood the questions were coming. His comments were even more anticipated this week because they came after reports that the Eagles had deep conversations about moving Brown, and that a trade could come after June 1. But Roseman did not offer clarity, nor did he seek to ignite speculation. Rather, his preferred strategy was to avoid the topic with the same stock answer.

“I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don’t have a home under a rock,” Roseman said. “But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is, ‘A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles.’ From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I’ll go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I mean, I put on TV. And I see that there’s interest. But my answer is, ‘A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.’”

Roseman then repeated the answer multiple times. He came back to that answer when asked specific questions, such as one seeking clarity about a report that Brown had submitted a list of teams to whom he wants to be traded.

On March 13, The Athletic reported that the Eagles held serious conversations with both the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots about trading Brown, but that no move is imminent. If a trade were to happen, league sources say it would likely heat up closer to June 1. If a trade were made before June 1, the Eagles would take on more than $43 million in dead salary cap space. If the Eagles trade Brown after June 1, they would absorb less of a cap hit this offseason and would create cap savings. 

The lack of clarity could create obstacles to constructing the wide receiver depth chart. The Eagles believe DeVonta Smith can take on a larger role — that’s true even if Brown is on the team — and return depth receivers behind him. They added Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore this offseason, and retained top tight end Dallas Goedert. The draft is next month, but it’s not as if the Eagles made a big-ticket move at the position.

“Roster construction, from a macro perspective, is going to be based on a vision,” Roseman said. “That vision doesn’t change by one particular player.”

Roseman explained that the Eagles felt they “needed more depth at the position” after the past few seasons. The signing of Hollywood Brown was made to add a deep threat who could “separate at the top of his routes” — an element that the Eagles had been missing. 

“I think that really fits the skill set of our quarterback,” Roseman said, referring to Jalen Hurts. 

The Moore move was made to bring in a player the Eagles liked coming out of college, but who has not yet capitalized on his traits in the NFL. There was speculation that the move was made with A.J. Brown in mind, considering he and Moore are close friends.

“Everything that we’re doing is based on the particulars of the player,” Roseman said. “Nothing we’re doing (is) to do favors.”

Roseman, one of the NFL’s longest-tenured general managers, spoke with more candor and detail on a variety of other topics — including the team’s moves at edge rusher, cornerback and quarterback. (Look for more from The Athletic on Monday morning.) But he arrived with a game plan on how to approach the Brown questions, and he did not deviate from the script. He neither dismissed reports of a potential trade nor suggested that a trade would occur. All he said was that Brown is a member of the Eagles. His answer is unlikely to change unless Brown’s status changes. 

Eagles add edge rusher

The Eagles signed veteran edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to a one-year contract, Roseman announced Sunday. Tryon-Shoyinka, 26, was a 2021 first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played last season for the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns. Tryon-Shoyinka has 15 career sacks. He did not record a sack last season. He joins Arnold Ebiketie as the second edge rusher the Eagles signed this offseason.