The New England Patriots have the money, draft capital, and appeal for a major move this offseason that could net them another weapon for Drake Maye. A.J. Brown, a former Titan during Mike Vrabel's days as the head coach in Tennessee, could be a legitimate possibility.
While money isn't an issue for New England, trading Brown would create significant cap issues for Philadelphia, barring a major, unexpected restructure. Brown would incur a dead cap charge of over $40 million while further stripping Philadelphia of $20 million more in cap space.
All in all, that’s north of $60 million in penalties for trading the former Ole Miss star.
After June 1, however, the tides change for the star wideout. A trade would then incur just under $22 million in dead money while saving the Eagles $1.65 million against the cap in 2026, with an additional credit of more than $5 million in 2027. Is it ideal to trade the star?
Of course not, but if the NFC East squad could fetch some draft picks for the disgruntled receiver, it may be worth it.
The Patriots now have a date in mind if they want to trade for AJ Brown
Given the ease of a trade on June 1 or later compared to before that deadline, a trade involving the wide out to New England would likely be a post-draft affair. All things considered, that could give New England more ammunition for 2026.
New England would be unable to trade any of their 12 draft picks in 2026 for Brown, meaning a trade would likely include selections from 2027. That would give New England three top-100 draft picks this season, none of which they would need to trade for Brown.
It is possible that New England could agree to a trade in principle with Philadelphia, thereby moving its first-round draft pick in 2026 for future draft picks in 2027. They could then trade those ‘27 selections for Brown, manipulating the June 1 deadline.
There have been mixed reports regarding what exactly it might take to acquire Brown. The Patriots' reported midseason offer of Kayshon Boutte and a second-round pick was rejected by Philadelphia, but that could very well be enough to push the trade through this offseason should Brown want out of the City of Brotherly Love.
While that is a fair package, I'd still expect New England to move at least a first-round pick. A depth receiver, like Mack Hollins, Pop Douglas, or the aforementioned Boutte, could also still be a part of a trade. Given Philadelphia's elite development of offensive linemen, they could be interested in adding a depth piece, like Marcus Bryant or Caedan Wallace, to their offseason roster.
Regardless of the specifics, it seems that June 1 or later would be the time for the Eagles to move Brown. Come that time, I'd expect Mike Vrabel and company to be ready to pounce.