New A.J. Brown Rumors on Patriots Trade Compensation, Eagles Relationship, Timeline & WR's Wish List

The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots continue to play the waiting game when it comes to star wide receiver A.J. Brown.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter things are unchanged because it's far more advantageous for Philadelphia to trade Brown after June 1.

The NFL insider described the three-time Pro Bowler's relationship with the Eagles as "cordial," with a trade expected to be finalized at some point this summer:

"So, that is still the expectation leaguewide, and the Patriots can certainly do that deal, although a team source stressed to me there's nothing binding right now; they could've drafted a receiver a week and a half ago if they really wanted to. So, they still have to create a deal and come up with compensation both parties are satisfactory to. But with A.J. Brown, really it's a situation I would describe as cordial. He's been in the building at some point this offseason but he's not expected to be part of offseason workouts. The full expectation is he wants to be traded and New England is one of his preferred destinations. We'll see if another team gets involved over the next month, but it still seems like all systems are go for a trade to happen at some point."

The 2026 NFL draft was the clearest indication that Brown is on his way to New England eventually.

The Eagles selected USC wideout Makai Lemon with the No. 20 overall pick, trading up with the division rival Dallas Cowboys in order to land him.

"The Philadelphia Eagles have seemingly said goodbye to AJ Brown without outright doing so," Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski wrote while giving the Eagles a B grade.

Grading Makai Lemon Pick

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Philly secured a replacement for Brown while the Patriots, who still need a true No. 1 WR, avoided the position altogether in the draft. It's easy to connect the dots from there.

Maybe New England ultimately passes on the trade, but its offseason business has telegraphed that blockbuster deal. A resolution one way or the other should finally arrive next month.