The New England Patriots have been hard after Eagles All-Pro WR A.J. Brown for some time now. Upgrading their wide receiver corps has been a goal for some time now, and even after signing Romeo Doubs from the Packers in free agency, the Patriots are still on the lookout for a big fish at the position.
In fact, the Patriots have been rumored to be involved in trade talks for Brown dating back to last fall, when the former Titan was almost traded away at the deadline. Philadelphia ended up keeping him, but his displeasure with the state of the Eagles offense was well known.
Leading up to the start of free agency, the Patriots and the Rams were heavily linked to a potential trade for Brown. Nothing came of it at the time, but a recent report indicates that the Patriots still have a great chance to land him, and an updated timeline has been revealed.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones Names the New England Patriots the ‘Frontrunners’ in a Potential A.J. Brown Trade
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 28: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a 33 yard touchdown against Jaquan Brisker #9 and Nahshon Wright #26 of the Chicago Bears during the third quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/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?”
Jones on When the Patriots Might Make a Move to Acquire WR A.J. Brown
“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.”
If the Patriots continue to be patient, Brown could be joining them for training camp — if not sooner. A wide receiver room in New England that adds both Doubs and Brown would go from a potential weakness to one of the best in the league.
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