The inevitable has finally happened, as the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to trade wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. Brown, a former second-round pick, spent the past four seasons with the Eagles but originally entered the league with the Tennessee Titans.
Eagles, Patriots Agree to A.J. Brown Trade
🚨 🚨 🚨
At last: The #Eagles are trading star WR AJ Brown to the #Patriots, per The Insiders.
It’s a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick going to Philly, as Brown reunites with coach Mike Vrabel. One of the NFL’s longest runnings sagas ends with a splash. pic.twitter.com/WCXJqEA5x7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 1, 2026
Everyone in the world knew this trade was going to happen after June 1st, as A.J. Brown openly expressed his frustration with the Eagles for the better part of two seasons. After recording consecutive 1,400-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, Brown saw a reduced workload in 2024. In total, the wideout finished the season with 67 receptions for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns on 97 targets. While he played a vital role in the team’s Super Bowl championship, he didn’t receive his typical massive target share.
This reduced workload continued into 2025, as he finished the season with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 121 targets. A.J. Brown made it clear he wasn’t happy with the organization throughout the season, but the Eagles couldn’t afford to trade him until after June 1st. Now that they can spread his dead money over two seasons, it was only a matter of time before the Eagles dealt him.
The A.J. Brown trade was perhaps the worst-kept secret in spots, as Philadelphia spent the past few months loading up on talent at the wide receiver position. The team traded for and extended Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks in the offseason and traded up to select wide receiver Makai Lemon in the 2026 NFL Draft. Quite frankly, these aren’t moves you make if you intend to keep Brown and DeVonta Smith as your starting wide receivers.
Since entering the league, A.J. Brown has recorded 524 receptions for 8,029 yards and 56 touchdowns on 816 targets. During his seven years in the league, the wide receiver has made three Pro Bowls, finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors on three occasions.
Main Photo: [Brian Streicher] – Imagn Images
