Eagles Trade Wide Receiver A.J. Brown to Patriots for Draft Picks

The Philadelphia Eagles traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots on June 1 for a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick. The transaction ended months of negotiations centered on the financial impact to the Eagles' salary cap.

Brown recorded 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns during the 2025 season, his lowest statistical output since joining Philadelphia. The Patriots acquired Brown after previously releasing wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the final two years of a three-year, $63.5 million contract signed in 2025.

Brown is expected to serve as the primary receiving option for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Maye previously worked with tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Stefon Diggs as his top targets. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts loses his most frequent target from the prior four seasons.

The Eagles plan to integrate first-round draft pick Makai Lemon along with veteran additions Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks into the receiving group alongside DeVonta Smith. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel previously coached Brown during the receiver's first three NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Vrabel stated at the NFL scouting combine that the relationship involved mutual support through career milestones and setbacks.

New England signed wide receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract in March before completing the Brown acquisition. Doubs is projected to shift into a secondary role in the passing attack. The trade occurred on the same day the Los Angeles Rams completed a separate transaction for defensive end Myles Garrett.