Updated A.J. Brown Trade Landing Spots, What's a Realistic Return for Eagles Star WR?

In the coming days, we may get some clarity on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown's future.

"Will A.J. be here next season? I think we're still in a spot, like, I can't guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters at the NFL combine on Tuesday. "I'm thinking I'm going to be the coach next season but you can't guarantee anything past tomorrow."

Earlier in February, league executives told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that they expected trade talks around Brown to pick up at the combine. Typically, that's where roster decisions are discussed among executives and coaches ahead of free agency.

Since the end of the Eagles' season, Brown hasn't requested a trade or hinted that he would prefer to play elsewhere. On Micah Parsons' podcast The Edge, he expressed gratitude for the leaders in the Eagles' locker room and excitement about the coaching staff changes:

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said Brown is "in a good space," but if the Eagles trade him, they will want significant compensation because of a $43.4 million pre-June 1 dead cap hit.

Brown will turn 29 in June, and the three-time Pro Bowler has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in six out of seven seasons. The Eagles likely won't get a first-rounder for him because of his age, but they could command a second-rounder or a third-rounder and a player because of his consistent production.

With that in mind, here are five realistic trade destinations and packages for Brown.

Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman

Baltimore Ravens Get: WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, WR Rashod Bateman

If the Baltimore Ravens acquire Brown, they would likely have to balance two sizeable wide receiver contracts on their books.

The Ravens need to make a crucial decision regarding the fifth-year option in Zay Flowers' rookie deal. As a two-time Pro Bowler, his contract will cost the Ravens $28 million for the 2027 season. This year, though, his contract counts for $4.5 million against the cap.

Still, the Ravens have the financial wiggle room to absorb Brown's contract and negotiate with Flowers' camp on a new deal if they restructure quarterback Lamar Jackson's contract to save $38 million.

Brown would reunite with his former Tennessee Titans teammate, Derrick Henry, and add to the team's physical identity. The 6'1", 226-pound outside receiver can be a complement to Flowers, who's a shifty 5'9" wideout who lines up on the boundary and in the slot.

Jackson could post career numbers with Brown and Flowers as his top two targets.

The Eagles can get more out of Rashod Bateman. Last June, he signed a three-year, $36.75 million extension and followed up with 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. In a trade to Philadelphia, the five-year veteran can operate as the clear-cut No. 2 option behind DeVonta Smith.

Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Gregory Payan

Buffalo Bills Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills Get: WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, WR Keon Coleman

A.J. Brown could help the Buffalo Bills get over their playoff hump and into the Super Bowl. 

In the Bills' playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, wideouts Brandin Cooks and Mecole Hardman failed to come down with big catches down the stretch. Brown had drop issues in the Eagles' Wild Card Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but he's typically reliable in clutch moments.

Quarterback Josh Allen can show off his big arm with Brown, who averages 15.3 yards per catch for his career. The big-bodied receiver would bring a much-needed explosive element to the Bills' aerial attack.

Meanwhile, in Buffalo, Keon Coleman needs a fresh start. 

The Bills went through a round of finger-pointing as to who was responsible for taking him in the second round of the 2024 draft. Owner Terry Pegula "defended" general manager Brandon Beane, placing the blame on the coaching staff, which was led by former lead skipper Sean McDermott at the time.

Coleman hasn't lived up to expectations and was benched during the 2025 season, but it's a tough spot for him to grow, knowing that the team owner and perhaps the general manager aren't optimistic about his career outlook.

The Bills promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to replace McDermott, and he said Coleman "is not done being a Buffalo Bill."

While Brady may be able to instill confidence in Coleman, Beane remains the lead front-office executive, with Pegula backing him. It's best for the third-year wideout to get a fresh start elsewhere.

Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss

Denver Broncos Get: WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, Edge Jonah Elliss

Over the past year, the Denver Broncos have tried to bolster their receiver unit with a premier talent. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Denver was in the mix to sign Stefon Diggs during free agency last offseason, but he chose the New England Patriots. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Broncos "reached out" to the Miami Dolphins about Jaylen Waddle's availability before the 2025 trade deadline.

Reportedly in search of a top receiver, Denver may be interested in a deal for Brown. Equipped with $28.9 million in cap space, the Broncos wouldn't need to move around big contracts to fit the wide receiver's deal under the cap. 

Brown could open up the Denver offense with his ability to stretch the field. Troy Franklin has the speed, but he's averaging just 10.5 yards per reception. Entering his age-31 term, Courtland Sutton could show some signs of decline. Brown can elevate the Broncos' mediocre pass-catching unit.

Logical thinking says the Eagles would want a receiver in exchange for Brown, but general manager Howie Roseman tends to stockpile offensive and defensive linemen.

The Eagles have five edge-rushers with expiring contracts: Jaelan Phillips, Azeez Ojulari, Brandon Graham, Josh Uche and Ogbo Okoronkwo. At 37, Graham would play another season if Roseman wants him back, but Philadelphia would still need more help on the edge.

Jonah Elliss can be a rotational pass-rusher and develop into a three-down playmaker. In each of his first two seasons, he played just 38 percent of the defensive snaps, logging 66 tackles, 12 for loss, 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures. The 22-year-old is behind Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper on the depth chart. In Philadelphia, he could reach his full potential in an expanded role.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III

New England Patriots Get: WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2026 3rd-rounder, CB Carlton Davis III

On the heels of a Super Bowl loss, the New England Patriots can make a concerted effort to help Drake Maye, who struggled through their playoff run. In four postseason outings, he threw for six touchdowns and four interceptions with a 58.3 percent completion rate, while taking 21 sacks. He ran for 178 yards and a touchdown.

In 2025, Stefon Diggs led the Patriots' pass-catching group, hauling in 85 of 102 targets for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, but the 32-year-old is a possession receiver who doesn't threaten defenses over the top with consistency. The 11-year veteran also lacked red-zone presence with just four touchdowns last season.

If the Patriots acquire Brown, Diggs can slide into the No. 2 spot, and Maye would have a strong receiver duo that can attack all areas of the field. 

To get this deal done, the Patriots may have to include a starter on defense. They can offer Carlton Davis III, who's a proven boundary cornerback with 105 career starts. 

Davis would fill a void in the Eagles' secondary after they rotated players at the No. 2 cornerback spot this past season. In his first year with the Patriots, he logged 10 pass breakups while allowing a 90.7 passer rating (out of a possible 158.3) in coverage.

San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2026 2nd-round pick, 2026 5th-round pick, WR Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers Get: WR A.J. Brown

The San Francisco 49ers could lose wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne in free agency. They will likely release Brandon Aiyuk after voiding the guarantees in his contract, though he can be an add-on in a trade package.

The 49ers can't reasonably expect wide receiver Ricky Pearsall to handle a heavy target share. Though he's shown flashes, the 25-year-old has suffered multiple injuries after recovering from a gunshot wound in 2024. In two seasons, the former first-rounder has suited up for 20 games.

At 32, tight end George Kittle is recovering from a ruptured Achilles. 

With a $265 million investment in quarterback Brock Purdy, San Francisco needs to bolster his supporting cast to get the most out of him. Brown would be the 49ers' top receiver and take some of the pass-catching workload off soon-to-be 30-year-old Christian McCaffrey and Pearsall. 

One way or another, Aiyuk needs a change of scenery after he cut off communication with the 49ers during his knee injury rehab process. There's no guarantee he'll be motivated to play in Philadelphia, but the Eagles can kick the tires on him as a pickup along with second- and fifth-round picks.

If it doesn't work out, they can release him without being tied to his non-guaranteed contract.

Team salary cap and player contract details are provided by Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.