Eagles Reportedly Table A.J. Brown Trade Talks as Patriots Keep Calling

Philadelphia has slammed the door—at least for now—on any deal that would send star wide receiver A.J. Brown to New England, according to a Friday report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Despite “strong pushes” from the Patriots that began before Monday’s legal-tampering window, the Eagles informed interested parties they “will not trade A.J. Brown at this time,” sources said.

The timing appeared ripe for a move. New England entered the week flush with cap space and fresh off Stefon Diggs’s release, while whispers of strained relations between Brown and the Eagles’ brass have lingered since last regular season. League insiders told Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi that many inside the building still believe “A.J. Brown will end up in New England,” yet the immediate path has been blocked.

A major sticking point is Philadelphia’s salary-sheet math. Trading Brown before June 1 would saddle the Eagles with a $43 million dead-cap charge; waiting until after that date slices the hit to $16.4 million and frees an additional $7 million in 2025 space. That reality has pushed the Eagles toward patience, even if the Patriots remain eager.

New England’s offer on the table—reportedly a first- and third-round pick, per 97.5 The Fanatic’s Anthony Gargano—was rejected. Philadelphia initially sought a first-rounder “with a second-round sweetener,” according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. With the Patriots now having committed up to $80 million over four years to former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs, executives around the league speculate the asking price could dip to a second- and fourth-round combination should talks reopen this summer.

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf left the door ajar Thursday, telling reporters, “We’ll explore anything that we think can help the team,” and noting that “the only real deadlines” are cap-related. New England still projects more than $51 million in 2026 cap room, per Over The Cap, easily enough to absorb Brown’s $23.4 million annual charge.

For now, both sides settle into a waiting game. Philadelphia keeps its premier pass-catcher; New England keeps its draft capital and a retooled supporting cast that includes new guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and a handful of defensive reinforcements. Whether the conversation reignites after June 1 remains the question hovering over the rest of the offseason.