{"id":859900,"date":"2026-04-08T00:19:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T00:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/859900\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T00:19:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T00:19:22","slug":"strange-twist-emerges-in-new-a-j-brown-eagles-trade-pitch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/859900\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Strange Twist’ Emerges in New A.J. Brown-Eagles Trade Pitch"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"A.J.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

NFL.com’s Matt Okada pitched a new NFL trade proposal that would send Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown back to the Tennessee Titans.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a little unknown rule in the NFL<\/a> that doesn\u2019t allow teams to re-acquire a player they previously traded within two years of the original trade. However, Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> receiver A.J. Brown<\/a> is beyond requirement, making the wideout a potential target of any of the other 31 teams. That includes his original club, the Tennessee Titans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, NFL.com\u2019s Matt Okada explored the possibility of Brown returning to the Titans through a trade this offseason.<\/p>\n

Okada proposed<\/a> the Titans send the Eagles their 2026 second-round pick (No. 35 overall) and a 2027 first-rounder. In return, Tennessee would receive Brown and a 2026 fifth-rounder (No. 178 overall).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal for GM Mike Borgonzi should be to find a catalyst for second-year QB Cam Ward, much like Stefon Diggs was for Josh Allen and A.J. Brown was for Jalen HurtsJalen Hurts” data-link=”https:\/\/heavy.com\/players\/jalen-hurts\/” data-slug=”jalen-hurts”>,\u201d wrote Okada<\/a>. \u201cFree-agent addition\u00a0Wan\u2019Dale Robinson\u00a0is an excellent fit in Tennessee, but he\u2019s not a bona fide WR1. The Titans could find a solution in the draft, but that approach brings higher risk and potentially a longer timeline.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one big wrinkle with the Titans, of course, is the fact that they drafted Brown back in 2019, and then traded him to the Eagles for first- and third-round picks in 2022. It would be a strange twist, but not entirely unprecedented.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown played<\/a> three seasons with the Titans from 2019-21 to begin his career. He made his first Pro Bowl while with the Titans during 2020.<\/p>\n

Over three seasons with the Titans, Brown registered 185 catches, 2,995 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.<\/p>\n

The Eagles acquired Brown for a pair of draft picks, including a first-rounder, in 2022.<\/p>\n

Why the Titans Could Acquire A.J. Brown From Eagles\"A.J.<\/p>\n

GettyNFL.com\u2019s Matt Okada pitched a new NFL trade proposal that would send Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown back to the Tennessee Titans.<\/p>\n

The Titans were one of six potential trade destinations Okada proposed Tuesday. Other pundits, though, might consider the Titans the least likely of the six for a couple reasons.<\/p>\n

First, the Titans are not expected to be contenders in 2026. That makes an expensive wide receiver who will turns 29 years old in June a far less desirable trade candidate.<\/p>\n

Tennessee also only has one 2026 first-round pick, which is No. 4 overall. Brown isn\u2019t worth that selection but has more value than Tennessee\u2019s second-rounder.<\/p>\n

But Okada sees Brown being an asset for quarterback Cam Ward\u2019s<\/a> development. Okada\u2019s trade proposal also helped the two teams overcome the Titans only have a top 5 pick in the first round this spring.<\/p>\n

Finally, the NFL.com analyst argued the Titans are a fit for Brown because they can fit the receiver easily under the salary cap.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Titans also could be the best-suited team to take on Brown\u2019s contract, as they have the most salary-cap space<\/a> right now ($63.2 million at the time this was posted),\u201d wrote Okada. \u201cTennessee\u2019s position in the draft does make compensation interesting, as its only first-rounder is the fourth overall pick, but perhaps Philadelphia would be willing to push the desired first out to 2027 for a more lucrative overall return.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Will Eagles Trade Brown If a Deal Happens?\"A.J.<\/p>\n

GettyWill the Philadelphia Eagles trade wide receiver A.J. Brown this offseason?<\/p>\n

Brown is a trade candidate this offseason after a drama-filled 2025 campaign. The Eagles top wideout still had 78 catches, but he posted a career-low 12.9 yards per catch during 2025.<\/p>\n

Behind that average, Brown barely cleared the 1,000-yard mark.<\/p>\n

The Eagles signed receivers Marquise \u201cHollywood\u201d Brown<\/a> and Elijah Moore<\/a> in 2026 NFL free agency. Those additions could be in preparation for the team to trade Brown.<\/p>\n

But that doesn\u2019t mean a deal will happen before the 2026 NFL Draft. There\u2019s quite a bit of incentive for the Eagles not to make a trade until June.<\/p>\n

If the Eagles deal Brown before June 1, they will accept a $43.44 million dead cap hit according to Over the Cap<\/a>. That dead cap hit falls to $16.35 million after June 1.<\/p>\n

That fact could make the Titans proposal intriguing because it included a 2027 first-rounder. But if the Eagles wish to wait until June 1, then they won\u2019t be able to acquire Tennessee\u2019s 2026 second-rounder for Brown.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tDave Holcomb<\/a> is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Eagles\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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