While the Philadelphia Eagles chose the somewhat bizarre tactic of just repeating the same series of phrases over and over again in response to any question about trading A.J. Brown, not everyone was so rote when it came to what could be the defining move of the NFL offseason.
Most notably, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t mince words when asked about a possible trade for Brown, a 3-time NFL All-Pro who also played for Vrabel on the Tennessee Titans.
“Anything we can continue to do to strengthen our roster, we will try to do,” Vrabel told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane at the annual NFL owners meetings on Tuesday.
Mike Vrabel Praised A.J. Brown at NFL Combine
Vrabel was effusive talking about Brown and their relatioinship at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Brown spent his first 3 seasons playing for the Titans before he was shipped to the Eagles before the 2022 season in a blockbuster trade that Vrabel was vehemently opposed to.
That Vrabel’s comments come as Brown spends the offseason as the NFL’s No. 1 trade curiosity — and the Patriots are fresh off a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl — only makes things that much more interesting.
“(Our relationship) has meant a lot,” Vrabel told reporters. “I’ve watched him grow. I’ve watched him mature. I’m proud of him… It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us here today.”
A.J. Brown Trade Sent Teams On 2 Different Paths
The foundation for the Eagles playing 2 Super Bowls in the last 4 years and winning 1 of them starts with the trade that brought Brown to Philadelphia.
The long-term impact of the trade on the flip side was the undoing of the Titans — something put into stark contrast when the Titans released wide receiver Treylon Burks, the player they got in exchange for Brown.
In the deal, the Eagles sent the Titans the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, which they used on Burks — ahead of 10 more NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowlers selected in the 1st 2 rounds.
The Eagles signed Brown to a 4-year, $100 million contract extension the same day they traded for him, then signed him to another 3-year, $96 million contract extension in April 2024. In 4 seasons with the Eagles, he has over 1,000 receiving yards in 4 consecutive seasons, as well as being a 3-time NFL All-Pro and 3-time Pro Bowler.
Vrabel lasted 2 more years with the Titans before he was fired following the 2023 season. The Titans haven’t had a winning record or made the playoffs since 2021 — the last season with Vrabel and Brown together.
Former Teammate Also Open About Wanting Brown
Vrabel isn’t the only former Titan who might be openly politicking to get Brown on his team in 2026.
Baltimore Ravens All-Pro running back Derrick Henry talked about the Ravens possibly trading for Brown on “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams.
“We would gladly love to have him … Come on over, please A.J., come to Baltimore, let’s go get this ring … Him and Zay (Flowers), that’d be crazy,” Henry said. “And then (Rashod) Bateman, Mark (Andrews), gotta get (Isaiah) Likely back. We cooking.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Patriots HC Mike Vrabel Doesn’t Mince Words on A.J. Brown Trade appeared first on Heavy Sports.