The rumors of AJ Brown being traded to the Patriots are nowhere near over, and after what the Eagles did over the weekend, it's a sign that the speculation is only going to get stronger over the next few weeks, if not months.
At the end of the first wave of free agency, NFL insiders reported that the Eagles extended their deadline to reach a deal for an extension with tight end Dallas Goedert. They finally came to an agreement on Sunday, putting the focus back on Brown.
Why? Because, according to the insiders, the Eagles are likely unable to keep both Brown and Goedert on the roster, and the current chatter suggests that if the tight end got a new contract, then a trade for the wide receiver would be inevitable.
While this situation has been linked to the AJ Brown saga and a potential trade, the situation remains fluid. https://t.co/NZ1k2KYa8J
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2026
Now that the deal is done, the Patriots are likely going to be back in the conversation for Brown even more.
While that's certainly good news for those who want to see him in a Patriots uniform sooner rather than later, it doesn't mean a trade will happen any time soon.
The Patriots are still in the mix for AJ Brown, but they're going to continue playing the waiting game
Although Philadelphia has insisted they have no interest in trading their star wide receiver, insiders suggest otherwise, who have been consistent about what the Eagles are hoping to receive in return. That has somewhat taken the Patriots out of the running, despite rumors that they had already offered a first-round pick and then some, but were turned down.
However, if there is even an inkling that Howie Roseman and Co. are considering trading Brown, they should probably do it this offseason when he's still considered a hot commodity, even if that means not moving him until after June 1.
It's looking more and more like that's the date the Patriots will have to wait for, as the Eagles' dead cap would be significantly lower. Any trade before then is unlikely, especially since draft experts are already portraying next year's class as much better than 2026, and the Eagles would likely want more picks then instead.
The Goedert signing is a move in the right direction, at least, but New England will have to be patient if they want to go all-in for Brown.
If they're unsure of their chances to actually get him in the door, they'll have to shift their attention to another receiver instead, or risk waiting too long and missing out on the caliber of player their offense and Drake Maye need.