The longest drawn-out trade potentially in NFL history has finally come to an end, as the New England Patriots have finalized a deal to acquire wide receiver AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The team has been connected to Brown since the pre-draft process in 2019, with many hoping Bill Belichick would make the right decision and select the WR1 that Tom Brady very much needed for his offense. As we know, the coach picked N'Keal Harry instead, who is now out of the league, while Brown went on to become a multi-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion.
But maybe it's just a matter of good things come to those who wait, and now Patriots fans will finally get to see what an offense with Brown will look like. Fortunately, he will join Drake Maye and elevate the group to a new level.
The deal came together as analysts and insiders felt it would, as soon as June 2 came around, with Brown's salary spread out over the next two seasons, and his dead cap was cut in half.
Despite the rumors that a deal was not close, the Patriots got it done by sending a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder for Brown, officially proving they are willing to do what it takes to upgrade their roster for another push for a Lombardi Trophy.
The Patriots' patience has finally paid off, as they successfully trade for AJ Brown
An unexpectedly successful 2025 season means the Patriots have their foot on the gas pedal, going all-in and upgrading their roster to a championship-level group.
They nearly shocked the world by walking away with their seventh NFL title in franchise history earlier this year, as they met the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
But they failed to get the job done for several reasons, prompting Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf to prioritize the roster's weak spots this offseason.
One of the most dire needs was the receiving corps, especially after they decided to move on from Stefon Diggs just one year into his contract. And because of that, the rumors about Brown potentially being traded became intertwined with the Patriots' needs, and they were immediately deemed the most likely team to complete a trade.
Luckily, that didn't change, even with a number of rumors claiming other teams were inquiring about Brown, and now the Patriots head coach reunites with the top player he drafted during his time with the Titans.
It's a move Patriots fans have been begging for since Tom Brady was still under center, and although it took much longer to happen than anyone thought, at least Brown is on the roster now, and we'll finally see what he can do for the offense.
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