Throughout the 2025 offseason, the Patriots remained consistent favorites to land a top-name player in a blockbuster trade, thanks to their league-high cap space and various roster holes. They were mostly connected to DE Trey Hendrickson, who eventually re-signed with the Bengals, and WR Terry McLaurin, who also received a new contract from his team.
The Patriots lost out on every potential trade candidate who could have helped their roster, except for the one player fans have constantly begged for, especially since Mike Vrabel became the head coach, receiver A.J. Brown.
Bill Belichick infamously passed on the talented wideout in the 2019 draft and selected WR N'Keal Harry instead. So fans have wanted the franchise to right a former wrong by pulling off a masterful trade, but Brown hasn't been made available, until possibly now.
He has seemingly expressed his frustrations with the Eagles once again, much like he did throughout the 2024 season, and despite winning a Super Bowl last year, much of what he complained about then remains unchanged, leading to plenty of speculation that he will be traded. The Patriots are one team that could, and should, make a move.
Proposed trade for AJ Brown is too good for the Patriots not to offer
With the rise of uncertainty surrounding Brown's status in Philadelphia, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report came up with several proposed trades that teams could offer to get the receiver onto their roster before this season's trade deadline.
Among the more realistic teams is the Patriots, who Kay proposed sends two second-round picks to acquire Brown and reset their offense.
With the breakout performance by Stefon Diggs during the Patriots' Week 4 win over the Panthers, plus the rise of Kayshon Boutte as an almost WR1, the idea of adding Brown into the mix for Drake Maye to work with would immediately make their offense the best it has been in possibly more than a decade.
The young quarterback would have unimaginable talent to work with and help develop him into the kind of franchise player the team has longed for since Tom Brady left five years ago. Brown would immediately bring him to new heights and make them a contender in the AFC East.
Although it might seem implausible, given the Eagles have already turned down trade inquiries over the past year, if Brown continues to bring negative attention to the team, there's a good chance they could reconsider. Not to mention, their general manager loves to get a good trade done and add more draft picks to their stock.
So if the Patriots were to offer something that they feel is invaluable, we could see Brown in a Patriots uniform this season.