Patriots, Eagles Don't Seem To Be Close On A.J. Brown Trade

The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots seem to be in a standoff over Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown. Could that standoff keep Brown from ever playing for the reigning AFC champions?

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, that might be the case. On Wednesday, Rapoport reported that the two teams don't seem to be budging from their respective positions on Brown's trade value. The Eagles want a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and the Patriots are simply not willing to pay that. Rapoport said that the two sides are "not particularly close" and says there's a chance this process drags on for a while.

"As far as the actual trade, we're all waiting for June 1 to happen, so the cap hit is in half for the Philadelphia Eagles and they can trade [Brown]," Rapoport said. "I just don't know that it's going to be like ‘snap your fingers and the deal is done,' because the two sides are where they have been - which is the Eagles wanting a first-round pick in 2027. The Patriots - being the most likely destination, we'll see if someone else arises - but the Patriots [are] not willing to give up a first-round pick, as of right now.

"That means they're not particularly close, and there's a chance this could drag on for the foreseeable future."

Fans are clearly getting bored with the entire saga and just want it to be over already:

"Yall know dam well the deal been made weeks ago! Yall reporting this like it's not a done deal can yall stop lying to the masses!!" one user wrote.

"The NFL doesn't want it to happen between the Eagles & Patriots because then it looks like tampering and they don't want to be forced to investigate," another mused.

"Remember all these guys have no idea what's going to happen, they're just guessing," a third wrote.

The One-Team Market

Much like the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers back in 2023, the New England Patriots have pretty much become the only team that's even viable as a trade partner for Brown's services. The Eagles can certainly tell the Patriots to "take it or leave it" with their trade demand knowing that the Patriots have shaped part of their offseason around acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler.

But by that same token, the Patriots could wait until something happens that causes Brown's trade value to plummet - be it a bad game or some kind of negative press.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 8:02 AM.