Since the first week of the legal tampering period and into the official start of free agency, the Patriots have had a much less exciting offseason than last year, with few moves, whether new signings or shocking cuts. While they have added some upgrades and allowed expected players to walk, they have yet to make the drastic moves many fans were hoping for.
For the most part, the biggest move of all is a blockbuster trade for a wide receiver or a pass rusher, with the likeliest move being acquiring AJ Brown.
There have been plenty of rumors linking the team to the receiver, which have only heightened in recent days, and now the Patriots' decision to cut backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs has some fans thinking a trade could be on the way.
Why is that? How would releasing a quarterback be a path to trading for a wide receiver? Well, according to some New England fans, since Dobbs wore No. 11, that opens the number that Brown has worn throughout his career, and it doesn't feel like a coincidence.
Patriots fans are hoping this is another sign of an AJ Brown trade coming
Although one move doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the other, Patriots fans are at a point where they're looking for anything that could provide some sort of hope or sign that Brown will be on his way to New England at some point this offseason.
There are a lot of signs that it's going to happen, especially if you listen to NFL insiders who continue to fuel the fire. But there is, of course, a high chance that it's all just smoke, and the Eagles inevitably hold onto Brown for the remainder of his contract.
We won't know anything until at least the summer, as the belief is that Philadelphia won't complete a trade for Brown until after June 1, when they would save much more in dead cap.
Regardless, this does feel like another move that could hint at the Patriots' interest in getting a deal done, even if it does feel a bit far-fetched or wishful thinking.