With free agency beginning next month, the Patriots can now properly put together a solid plan about how they will navigate an offseason with the most projected cap space to utilize to improve a roster in desperate need of help. The assumption is that will be the main focus of the new regime led by Mike Vrabel, and hopefully, they will accomplish that with ease.
They should have many options regarding how to make those improvements, with several top-name players set to hit free agency. Leading into the offseason, most have honed in on the offense and who the team could sign to help quarterback Drake Maye, which has led to the theory of reuniting Vrabel with a player who was traded during his time with the Titans.
Knowing that he was never on board with Tennessee's decision to trade away wide receiver A.J. Brown, coupled with his apparent issues since joining the Eagles, has made it seem like a layup move for the Patriots to make a blockbuster trade to bring Brown to the team he was supposed to be drafted to in 2019.
That has seemed like a great plan over the last few weeks, especially seeing how Brown was barely incorporated into the game plan during the playoffs. But the Eagles' dominant win over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday night may have ended any possibility of Brown not being in Philadelphia for the 2025 season.
Related: Details about why Bill Belichick passed on AJ Brown and Deebo Samuel make it worse
The Patriots trading for A.J. Brown looks even more like a dream than before
Although Vrabel has made it very clear that he and Brown have a good relationship and that he loves the kind of player he is, creating a sense of hope among Patriots fans that he will finally be on the team, it's beyond obvious that won't be happening any time soon now.
The Eagles have already stated they had no intention of moving on from Brown after his alleged frustrations with the team were made public, but this is professional sports and there is no loyalty to be had. Any player can be moved anytime, meaning Brown is never off the table.
However, after his performance in the Super Bowl and the Eagles' win, it's hard to imagine that Brown will still want out instead of trying to run it back and win another one next season. It's also hard to imagine that the Eagles would be willing to move on from him even more now, as they would be foolish to do so anyway.
It seemed to be a topic on head coach Nick Sirianni's mind on Monday morning as he chose to wear Brown's high school jersey while speaking to the media.
A.J. Brown's high school jersey is a great touch. https://t.co/ovZHpI0I6U
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 10, 2025
Message sent loud and clear, sir.
It's an unfortunate development for the Patriots fans, who may have gotten their hopes up about Brown finally suiting up with the Patriots, especially after Vrabel commented on the situation to inflate the dream even more.
However, if Brown is really off the table, they know way ahead of time and can now look elsewhere for the right wide receiver to be the WR1 that Maye needs and deserves for the 2025 season, whether it be from free agency, a trade, or the draft.