sports
Eagles and Patriots Near Framework for A.J. Brown Trade
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that a framework is in place for a trade sending Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. The deal is expected to occur after June 1 to limit Philadelphia’s dead-cap charges.
May 30, 3:28 PM·1m read1 source
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The deal is expected to occur after June 1 to limit Philadelphia’s dead-cap charges. Brown earned three second-team All-Pro selections during his time with the Eagles.
Reports near the end of the 2025 NFL season indicated the Eagles would consider trading Brown. Head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters he could not guarantee Brown would return for 2026. The Patriots, Bills, Ravens, and Rams expressed interest. The Bills later acquired D.J. Moore, and the Rams explored trading Davante Adams before talks ended.
New England remained the primary suitor after signing Romeo Doubs and receiving interest from Stefon Diggs.
Any trade completed before June 1 would create $43.45 million in dead money for Philadelphia and leave Brown counting $20.06 million against the cap. A post-June 1 trade would reduce dead money to $16.35 million and free $7.04 million in cap space. The Eagles drafted USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 draft, signaling they did not plan to retain Brown.
Philadelphia initially sought a first- and second-round package but later signaled openness to a 2028 first-round pick. Breer stated that exact terms still require final agreement, but the framework is set and the trade is expected early in the coming week unless one side withdraws.
