Everyone in the NFL world knows that an A.J. Brown trade is inevitable, and we received yet another reminder of his impending fate a few days ago. A second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Ole Miss product entered the league with the Tennessee Titans and immediately helped turn the franchise around. Stepping up as the team’s top receiver, Brown finished his rookie season with 52 receptions for 1,051 yards and eight touchdowns and played a pivotal role in helping the team make the AFC Championship Game.
A.J. Brown continued to improve over the next three seasons, but the Titans decided to trade him to the Philadelphia Eagles. This change of scenery brought out the best in him, as he recorded 88 receptions for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns during his first season in the City of Brotherly Love. He maintained this elite production in 2023, but the wheels began to fall off the wagon in 2024. While the Eagles won the Super Bowl, Brown saw a relatively reduced role. This usage carried over into 2025, and Brown didn’t hide his frustration with the team. Now, Brown and the Eagles both want a trade, and the latest report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler made it obvious that one is coming.
A.J. Brown Trade Rumors Grow After Latest ESPN Report
During a recent appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed that quarterback Jalen Hurts has been hosting throwing sessions with a few of the Eagles receivers. While big-name guys like DeVonta Smith have received an invite, A.J. Brown has not.
“I’m hearing the two have hit it off, and Jalen Hurts likes how Sean Mannion structures the offense, how he talks about how they’re going to attack things because it’s going to look different,” Fowler said. “It’s going to be more under center for Jalen Hurts, more play-action than he had done in the past…He’s also been throwing off-site with some of his receivers, DeVonta Smith, who’s his new No. 1, and new veteran Elijah Moore…Let’s put it this way, A.J. Brown’s not at these workouts, so it’s sort of understood right now.”
Not only did Fowler go out of his way to mention that Brown isn’t at the workouts, but he also called out Smith as the team’s new top receiver. This is a clear sign that an A.J. Brown trade is inevitable, and it will likely happen in just a few weeks.
Contract issues are the only reason Brown is still technically with the Eagles. A.J. Brown currently carries a $23.4 million cap hit, but that number jumps to $43.4 million if they trade him before June 1st. However, if they wait until after June 1st, they can spread his dead money over the next two seasons and drop his cap hit to $16.3 million.
The Obvious Destination
Everyone in the world knows the Eagles will trade A.J. Brown, and everyone in the world knows the New England Patriots will end up with him. Following a disappointing 4-13 season, the Patriots made a surprising trip to the Super Bowl thanks to head coach Mike Vrabel and a breakout performance by MVP runner-up Drake Maye. While they ultimately fell short of hoisting the Lombardi, nobody can deny that they’re well ahead of schedule in their rebuild. The last major missing piece on the roster is a game-changing wide receiver.
Kayshon Boutte, Romeo Doubs, and Demario Douglas are all solid players, but they shouldn’t be the focal point of any passing attack. While Stefon Diggs could return to the Patriots following his not guilty verdict, A.J. Brown offers more upside. Additionally, there’s nothing stopping New England from signing Diggs and trading for A.J. Brown, especially if the Eagles end up taking Boutte in a trade.
