Mike Vrabel Talks A.J. Brown Trade Rumors, Relationship with Eagles WR Amid Patriots Links

As the A.J. Brown trade rumors refuse to die, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke about his relationship with the star wideout, with the duo paired on the Tennessee Titans during the 2019-21 seasons.

"The relationships with players, and specifically... A.J., has meant a lot," he told reporters Wednesday. "I've watched him grow, I've watched him mature. I'm proud of him. Proud of the father that he is, proud of the husband, and that has nothing to do with where he plays or where he played. Those are the things that are important. We reach out and text each other during the things that happen good to each other and sometimes things don't go so well for the people that you're close with, and you text those as well. It's a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today."

Shortly after, Vrabel was asked directly if the Patriots might consider a trade for Brown, and he didn't rule out a pursuit of the star wideout:

While Brown's less-than-veiled discontent during the 2025 season has fueled rumors that he could be traded—and by proxy, a strong relationship with Vrabel could have some Patriots fans following those bread crumbs to a potential reunion—the Eagles have publicly maintained they aren't interested in losing the star wideout.

"It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player," general manager Howie Roseman told reporters in January. "I think from my perspective, that's what we're going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency, in the draft, just trying to find great players who love football, and he's that guy."

"We're trying to get better, and it's hard to do that if you're just subtracting great players," he added Tuesday. "We'll do whatever's in the best interest of our team to be better for this year and going forward. Anything that puts us in a position that we think to potentially win another championship. So every decision will be made with that, no matter who the player is."

Head coach Nick Sirianni, meanwhile, didn't guarantee Brown would return but made it sound as though all parties preferred a reunion.

"Yeah, my expectation is he wants to be here. And obviously you want good players like that in your building," he told reporters. "As Howie said, it's hard to get good players in this league. A.J.'s a great player and A.J. is a good teammate and A.J. is a good person. Does he want to be here? Yes. Do I want him to be here? Yes."

While the Patriots added Stefon Diggs last offseason and he had a strong debut season (85 catches, 1,013 yards, four touchdowns), Brown would undoubtedly upgrade the receiver room. The three-time Pro Bowler is arguably the best contested-ball catcher in the sport, regularly making plays deep down the field for the Eagles. There's no doubt that Drake Maye would appreciate a weapon of his caliber, and Vegas already believes the Patriots will be a suitor.

It wouldn't come cheap, however, with the Eagles likely seeking a first-round pick. And given the dead cap they would accrue by trading him and their Super Bowl aspirations in 2026, a Brown trade doesn't make a ton of sense for Philly unless he's hellbent on playing elsewhere.

Under Roseman, the Eagles have taken big swings, so anything is possible. But for now, a Vrabel-Brown reunion feels highly unlikely.