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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 26: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on October 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles continue to battle ongoing drama surrounding the status of All-Pro WR A.J. Brown. After a tumultuous 2025 season for the entire Philadelphia offense, Brown was rather publicly linked in some trade rumors and was nearly dealt at the deadline last fall. Ultimately, the Eagles chose to keep him on the roster and make a playoff push, though their season ended with a home loss to the 49ers in the wildcard round.
Since then, the trade speculation surrounding Brown has only grown in strength and legitimacy. The Rams were close to acquiring Brown shortly before free agency opened in March, but those talks did not lead to a deal in the end. The Patriots were viewed as the leaders in the clubhouse for a deal, at least at one time. So far, though, the Eagles are adamant that Brown is on the team and that isn’t changing.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Plans for WR A.J. Brown
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 08: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
“For months we have been reporting it is likely A.J. Brown will not be with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 season,” CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones wrote on Thursday. “The New England Patriots remain the frontrunner to acquire the All-Pro receiver, and what has been true all offseason continues to be true today as it relates to his contract.”
“It hurts the Eagles’ 2026 salary cap to deal Brown before June 1, adding an extra $20 million to their cap before that date. If this draft is so weak, and New England’s 31st pick is effectively a second-rounder in any year but especially this year, and if it significantly hurts your cap to trade one of your best players today months before the start of the season, why would you do it?”
“Eagles GM Howie Roseman continues to say Brown is a member of the Eagles, and that is an unassailable fact,” Jones continued. “But what sources have pointed out to me is that Brown has done nothing publicly to try to punch his way out of Philly, and those sources have theorized that Brown may an understanding that a deal will take place at some point in the summer. Making a public stink does not help his position, especially when he could be on another team by OTAs and minicamp in June anyway.”
“Philadelphia has positioned itself to move forward in 2026 with a receivers group that can live without Brown. At this point it would be a surprise if Brown is not on a new team by the start of training camp.”
What Should the Philadelphia Eagles Do in the Draft if They Plan to Trade WR A.J. Brown?
If Brown is traded at some point this summer, the Eagles would presumably need to prepare for that eventuality. Armed with the No. 23 overall pick in the draft, Philadelphia should be in range for a quality wide receiver when it’s their turn to select.
Some options for them that could be available in that range include USC’s Makai Lemon, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Washington’s Denzel Boston, and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion. It’s a deep class of receivers, too, and the Eagles will have plenty of options on Day 2 if they have other priorities in the first round.
Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He’s written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his Big Board was included in Arif Hasan’s media consensus board for Wide Left in both 2025 and 2026. More about Ethan Woodie
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