AJ Brown’s Exciting Trade to the Patriots
On Monday, AJ Brown was clearly thrilled to be traded to the Patriots, finalizing a deal that many had anticipated for some time with the Eagles.
Shortly after the announcement, Brown shared a childhood photo on Instagram wearing a Patriots jersey featuring Tom Brady’s iconic No. 12. The official Patriots account welcomed him back with a warm, “Welcome home.”
In a heartfelt farewell letter to Philadelphia, where he spent four memorable seasons and clinched a Super Bowl title during the 2024 season, Brown expressed his gratitude.
“Eagles Nation, thank you for embracing my family and me from the very start,” he wrote, sharing a picture of himself making a heart gesture during a game. “This city, the locker room, and this fan base will always have a special place in my heart. To my brothers in the locker room, I appreciate you for battling alongside me every day. The memories we’ve created together—both on and off the field—are ones I’ll cherish forever.”
He also thanked the coaching staff, trainers, equipment personnel, and even cafeteria and cleaning staff for their hard work that kept the team going. “There are so many people to be grateful for who made it possible for us to perform at our best,” he said.
Brown added, “It was an honor to represent this city. I’m thankful for every moment spent in midnight green. Thank you, Philly. Much love and God bless you always.”
Previously, he had played three seasons with the Titans under Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. There had been whispers about his move to New England, particularly since he seemed comfortable taking on a lesser role in the Eagles’ offense.
The trade, finalized on June 1, enabled the Eagles to manage a dead cap hit exceeding $40 million. They received a first-round draft pick for 2028 and a fifth-round pick for 2027 in the trade.
“At this point in his career, I think he was focused on his family and what he wanted for them,” stated Eagles general manager Howie Roseman during a conference call. “Overall, the conversation went well. It truly made sense for both sides.”
Now, with Brown joining the Patriots, he provides quarterback Drake Maye with a solid No. 1 receiving option, complementing the recent acquisition of Stefon Diggs after last season’s Super Bowl run.
In their social media announcement, the Patriots posted a screenshot from an April 2025 video. In it, Brown showed off an autographed jersey from Julian Edelman, the former Patriots star, while exclaiming, “The wait is over, dude.” With that, Brown affectionately referred to Edelman as the GOAT.
