Eagles May Need to Decide on AJ Brown Soon
The Philadelphia Eagles face a tight timeline if they plan to let go of wide receiver AJ Brown. There’s a report suggesting they should make a decision by March 9, marking the start of the legal tampering period.
However, trading a star receiver like Brown won’t come cheap. According to an NFL executive, the Eagles are seeking both a first- and second-round draft pick in return for him. They currently have eight picks for the 2026 NFL Draft, with the potential to land the first overall pick in the 2027 draft as well.
If a trade is executed, the new team would also have to take on the hefty three-year, $92 million extension Brown signed a couple of seasons back. It’s a complex situation, to say the least.
That said, if the draft compensation isn’t up to par, it’s likely that Brown will stay put in Philadelphia. Even amidst rumors of a potential trade, general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni have expressed intentions to keep him on the team through 2026. Roseman recently remarked on the challenge of finding standout players, emphasizing his appreciation for Brown’s talent.
In a related discussion at the NFL Combine, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was asked about trading for Brown, given his history as a former Titan. While he skillfully sidestepped the topic to avoid tampering accusations, he acknowledged his strong relationship with Brown, stating that they would consider any opportunities to improve their roster.
Vrabel added, “There’s a lot of opportunity for discussions about trades as we approach the draft.” He also shared his pride in Brown’s personal growth, going beyond just football. It’s all quite interesting.
Last season, rumors about Brown’s trade began circulating, but Roseman firmly maintained that the Eagles were not looking to part ways with him, despite any escalating dissatisfaction on Brown’s end.
Recently, ESPN’s Peter Schrager noted that the atmosphere has shifted somewhat, suggesting more conversations are happening behind the scenes than before. “It’s a different tone than when Howie Roseman told everyone at the trade deadline, ‘Absolutely out of the question, we’re not trading AJ Brown,’” Schrager highlighted.
Interestingly, despite the uncertainty, Brown achieved his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2025. Although his yardage was the second-lowest of his career through the first seven games, it demonstrated that he remains a highly capable player.
With the Eagles having been knocked out of the playoffs by the 49ers in the wild-card round, there’s a chance this could be Brown’s last game with Philadelphia if the latest developments are accurate. It all seems pretty tense.
