New A.J. Brown Trade Rumors on Patriots' Pursuit of Eagles WR After 2026 NFL Draft

Even though rumors connecting A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots as a post-June 1 trade were floated around prior to the 2026 NFL draft, there is nothing set in stone just over one month away from that date.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, one Patriots source made it clear they have "nothing binding" nor any "firm agreement" in place with the Philadelphia Eagles for Brown.

Fowler did suggest there could be a "wink-wink understanding" between the two clubs right now, but it's a situation where nothing is official until it becomes official.

If a Brown deal comes together, post-June 1 always seemed like the timeline because of his contract structure. The Eagles' dead-cap charge in 2026 drops from $43.4 million if he is traded pre-June 1 to $16.4 million after the date.

One thing that could speak to New England's confidence in landing Brown is the team did not use any of its nine picks in the draft on a wide receiver. Tight end Eli Raridon in the third round and running back Jam Miller in the seventh round were the only non-quarterback skill position players drafted.

According to Fowler, the Patriots were high on KC Concepcion and might have gone after him if he hadn't been taken off the board by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 24 pick.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on April 20 that a deal between the Patriots and Eagles for Brown will "probably" be done after June 1.

Schefter followed that up by saying on Tuesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show it won't "be hard" to finalize an agreement, which could include the Patriots giving the Eagles a 2028 first-round draft pick in return.

The Eagles have a made a series of moves to add depth to their receiver room that suggest Brown won't be on the roster by the time training camp opens in July. They signed Marquise Brown in free agency, acquired Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers in a trade and drafted Makai Lemon with the No. 20 pick in the first round.

Among potential landing spots for Brown, the Patriots would certainly rank high on the list. They did sign Romeo Doubs in free agency, but their other projected starting receivers right now are Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte.

Brown has spent the past four seasons in Philadelphia. He has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark every year with the club, but his 1,003 yards and 12.9 yards per reception in 2025 were his lowest as a member of the Eagles.