By now, anyone who's unaware of the New England Patriots' linkage to disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown is living under a rock. His presumed arrival to Foxborough has quite literally been months in the making.
Frankly, it'd be more shocking if Brown didn't land with the Patriots at this juncture in the seemingly never-ending saga. There's been so much around him reuniting with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, in New England that a fire must be brewing somewhere. Don't just hear it from us, though; CBS Sports' Jason McCourty discussed the matter during a recent appearance on Up & Adams.
McCourty didn't flinch when asked whether Brown will get traded to the Patriots, indicating the drumbeat has been consistent throughout the offseason for good reason.
"All the people that are on the inside ... continue to echo the same sentiment that it's almost a done deal that [Brown's] going to be a New England Patriot," McCourty stated.
Jason McCourty declares Patriots-A.J. Brown trade 'almost a done deal'
Of course, many Patriots fans remember McCourty from his three-year tenure with the club as a cornerback from 2018 through 2020. He was a key piece of their Super Bowl LIII run. So, hearing him speak as if Brown winding up in New England is practically a foregone conclusion shouldn't be overlooked.
Considering McCourty represented New England not too long ago, he figures to have meaningful connections within the organization. The retired defensive back-turned-analyst didn't rule out another suitor entering the mix, though his sense of inevitability about Brown joining the Pats is quite telling.
Meanwhile, all we can do is sit tight. The Eagles won't part ways with Brown until on or following June 1, when they can spread his cap hit across the next two seasons. However, a deal is reportedly expected to materialize once the aforementioned date comes around.
Brown, the Patriots and the Eagles are all motivated to put this situation to bed once and for all. The speculation has been going on for quite some time, and it's time for everyone to move forward — one way or another.
Even in a "down" 2025 campaign by his lofty standards, Brown was a difference-maker. He posted 78 receptions and seven touchdowns while managing to clear the 1,000-yard mark (1,003) in 15 games. Adding him would give Patriots franchise quarterback Drake Maye an established, unquestioned No. 1 target.
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