NFL GM Predicts A.J. Brown Trade, Teams Expect Eagles to Put 'Steep' Price on WR

At least one NFL executive believes the Philadelphia Eagles will trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown this season.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, an anonymous AFC general manager predicted that Philly will move on from Brown before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, saying:

"Brown doesn't look frustrated or mad—he looks indifferent. And that's not a good place to be. I think [Eagles GM] Howie [Roseman] moves him. It would have to be for the right player or pick, but [a trade] wouldn't surprise me. Howie likes deals, especially if a player's value overrides how Brown is being used."

Russini added that if the Eagles do entertain the idea of trading Brown, teams across the league expect the asking price to be "steep."

Since entering the NFL as a second-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2019, Brown has been one of the best and most productive wideouts in the league.

Going into this season, Brown had reached the 1,000-yard receiving mark in five of his six NFL seasons and earned three Pro Bowl berths, including two over his first two seasons in Philadelphia in 2022 and 2023.

Brown went from reaching the 1,400-yard mark in each of his first two seasons with the Eagles to finishing with only 1,079 yards last season, although that was partly due to the fact that he missed four games.

The 28-year-old Brown has played in all six of the Eagles' games this season, though, and he is trending toward his worst statistical season with 25 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown.

Aside from Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams when he had six catches for 109 yards and one touchdown, Brown has not exceeded 80 yards or scored a touchdown in any of the Eagles' five other contests.

During Thursday's game against the New York Giants, Brown had six grabs for 80 yards, representing his second-best statistical game, but the Eagles lost 34-17 in embarrassing fashion.

▶️ Full Eagles-Giants Recap

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That marked the defending Super Bowl champions' second consecutive loss, dropping them to 4-2 on the year.

Brown is known for making cryptic posts at times on X, which often leads to speculation about him being unhappy.

After he had just two catches for seven yards in a Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown made a post that read, "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way," before deleting it.

Brown later admitted that he made the post out of frustration, but he also told reporters it wasn't directed at anyone in particular and that he "loves" playing for the Eagles.

While that may be true, the Eagles have had an offense predicated far more on the run than the pass dating back to last season when running back Saquon Barkley rushed for over 2,000 yards.

That strategy, coupled with a strong defense, helped the Eagles win their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

However, the passing game has often taken a backseat, as evidenced by Brown's dip in production and quarterback Jalen Hurts throwing for less than 3,000 yards and only 18 touchdowns last season.

Last year, the Eagles extended Brown's contract by another three years, meaning he is locked in through the 2029 season.

Because of that, the Eagles would incur $11.7 million in dead cap this season and $38.9 million in dead cap next year should they trade Brown ahead of the deadline, per Spotrac.

That suggests the Eagles would have to view Brown as a distraction who is actively hurting the team in order to make such a drastic move, but there is at least some thought within the NFL that it's a possibility.