How Mike Vrabel addressed latest Patriots-A.J. Brown trade reports

FOXBORO — Head coach Mike Vrabel would not confirm the accuracy of a report that the Patriots are “likely” to acquire Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown via trade after June 1 during a sit-down Q&A with reporters Tuesday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that the Patriots are “tracking to” acquire Brown via trade, though “another team could always emerge, and there’s a lot of time between now and June 1.”

A trade after June 1 becomes easier for the Eagles, because then Brown’s dead cap hit gets spread over two years rather than hitting the 2026 salary cap all at once.

Vrabel deflected to talking about the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday, when asked directly about Schefter’s report.

“No. I mean, I think we are going to continue to try to strengthen our team,” Vrabel said. “The first focus is going to be on Thursday night and making sure that we get that right, and then we’ll focus on Friday. Saturday is always an important day just to continue to build our roster. Eliot and Ryan will have numerous conversations with different teams, but our first focus is going to be on the draft.”

Vrabel was also asked if a plan to acquire Brown would impact how the Patriots handle the draft.

It seems unlikely that the Patriots would spend a top pick on a wide receiver if they plan to flip future picks to the Eagles after June 1.

“No, we’re going to approach every draft with the same, I think, mentality, and that’s get the right players in the right spot to be able to draft the best player available that fits who we are, how we want to play, the versatility, the skill set, the ability to grow,” Vrabel said. “There’s also measurables to this game. There’s measurables to NFL football. There’s height, there’s weight, there’s speed, so there’s a bunch of variables, but in our conversations with other teams are going to be surrounded around doing business on Thursday or Friday or Saturday.”

The Patriots hold the 31st overall pick in the first round of the draft and 11 selections overall. So, it would not be surprising to see them still select a wide receiver at some point in the draft.

The Patriots currently have Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism, John Jiles and Jeremiah Webb on their roster at wide receiver, though Boutte has been involved in trade rumors. The Patriots released veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason. Brown would enter the fold as the Patriots’ top receiving weapon.

The Patriots have other clear needs in the draft at edge defender, offensive tackle, tight end and linebacker.