Heading into the 2025 offseason, there had already been a lot of discussion surrounding who the Patriots should sign in free agency, with wide receivers at the top of the list. For the most part, Tee Higgins has led the conversation, as he will be a free agent for the first time in his career, assuming the Bengals actually allow him to test the market instead of franchise-tagging him again.
The 26-year-old has been on New England's radar for the past two years due to the Bengals' reluctance to sign him to an extension. That is predominately due to having to pay for quarterback Joe Burrow and soon fellow receiver Ja'Marr Chase, leaving Higgins on the outside.
That is expected to be the case again this offseason, despite his productive 2024 season, recording 73 receptions for 911 yards and ten touchdowns. Cincinnati is low on cap space, so it seems fair to assume he's on his way out, making the Patriots number one target.
But if he is not made available or the Patriots miss out on getting him in the building, the arrival of Mike Vrabel as the next head coach has sparked a possible trade for former Titans' WR A.J. Brown, who was traded during Vrabel's tenure although he advocated against it.
He has made his feelings about Brown very clear, even since he was named the Patriots head coach, further fueling the possibility of a trade for the receiver. His latest performance against the Rams mirrored the game against the Packers a week before.
A.J. Brown trade to the Patriots only heightens after his unimpressive game vs. the Rams
During Wild Card Weekend, Brown was barely a factor in the Eagles' dominant win over the Packers. He recorded just one catch for ten yards and was seen reading a book on the bench during the broadcast, prompting the trade rumors to pick up once again.
This is nothing new for him since he was traded to the Eagles in 2022, as rumors have claimed on numerous occasions that he was unhappy with the team or his lack of inclusion, with some suggesting there were issues between Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Seeing his production not increase in this week's game against the Rams, which now the Eagles will be moving on to face the Commanders in the NFC Championship, the potential for Brown to be traded this offseason is far from being off the table. It could be argued that it's only increased.
It wouldn't be an easy trade or cheap for either the Eagles or the Patriots. But Vrabel's connection to Brown makes it something worth monitoring. A player like Brown, who Bill Belichick should have drafted in 2019 instead of N'Keal Harry, is very much needed in Foxboro, especially for Drake Maye. Adding him to the offense would be a massive game-changer and elevate the offense to a new level.
Although it seems unlikely, given how crucial Brown has been to the Eagles since joining the team three years ago, the decrease in his usage is noteworthy, in addition to his public reactions to it. If that continues, there's reason to believe Philadelphia will consider moving on from him and using that smidge of saved cap space and potential draft pick in return to find a suitable replacement to join Devonta Smith.
No matter what, it's a situation the Patriots need to watch closely and vigorously inquire about.