Trade offers for Eagles’ A.J. Brown: Four potential new teams

NFL teams cannot officially conduct trades until the new league year begins on March 11, but they can initiate negotiations and agree to terms beforehand. Currently, one prominent player at the heart of trade speculation is Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. While Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman downplayed trade talks in January, the question remains: could Brown actually be available?

We tasked NFL analysts Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Ben Solak, and Seth Walder with playing general manager for four different teams to draft realistic trade offers for Brown. Following that, Eagles reporter Tim McManus evaluated the potential moves based on what Roseman and the team might do this offseason.

Here’s how our market simulation unfolded, starting with a look into Brown’s status and culminating in a verdict on a potential new destination.

Jump to:
Current status
Four proposals | The conclusion

The latest on a potential A.J. Brown trade

Brown is arguably the finest receiver in Eagles history, boasting two 1,400-yard seasons while leading the team to two Super Bowl appearances in just four years. Last season, he recorded 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. yet, his dissatisfaction with the passing game’s struggles peaked in 2025, seemingly impacting his performance.

In November, video surfaced of Brown expressing his frustrations, labeling his situation a “s— show.” He voiced his dissatisfaction multiple times before agreeing to CEO Jeffrey Lurie’s request to reduce his public grievances. The front office acknowledges Brown’s significance to the Eagles’ success but must determine if he will commit to the franchise and align with quarterback Jalen Hurts moving forward.

If the Eagles determine that a commitment won’t materialize, a trade could be necessary. Dealing Brown before June 1 would incur a dead-cap charge exceeding $40 million, while trading him after that date would cost less than $20 million. Currently, Brown’s cap hit for 2026 stands at $23.4 million.

While any transaction would have immediate repercussions, it could free up resources in the long run, potentially aiding in contracts for emerging stars like Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. The acquiring team would be responsible for Brown’s $29 million salary in 2026 and approximately $4 million in guaranteed money for 2027, according to the Roster Management System. — Tim McManus, Eagles reporter

Four hypothetical trade offers for Brown

Jeremy Fowler’s offer:

Why this deal works: The Browns hold two first-round picks (Nos. 6 and 24) from the Travis Hunter trade in April 2025. They could utilize the sixth pick on an offensive lineman while sending the 24th pick to the Eagles in exchange for Brown. This move would significantly enhance new head coach Todd Monken’s offense, providing a much-needed weapon alongside a robust defense. Cleveland’s wide receiver group totaled just 1,467 receiving yards in 2025, the lowest in the NFL.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry, a former Eagles executive, has a solid relationship with Roseman. Cleveland is known for making splash trades, having acquired Odell Beckham Jr., Amari Cooper, and Jerry Jeudy during Berry’s time, all of whom recorded over 1,000 yards in their first seasons with the team.

Dan Graziano’s offer:

Why this deal works: General manager Brandon Beane may not acknowledge it, but quarterback Josh Allen would greatly benefit from having a true No. 1 wide receiver to challenge defenses. also, Brown’s 2026 contract is financially reasonable for a top-tier WR.

It’s hard to envision Buffalo acquiring an immediate-impact playmaker with their current first-round draft position. Why not trade for a veteran instead? Buffalo is in a win-now phase, and for the Eagles, receiving a first-round pick for a 28-year-old receiver with only one guaranteed year left is a solid return.

play

Will A.J. Brown still be with the Eagles next season?

Jeff Saturday and Dan Graziano debate A.J. Brown’s future with the Eagles.

Ben Solak’s offer:

• Eagles receive: 2027 second-round pick, 2027 fourth-round pick (conditional to third-rounder), WR Rashod Bateman

• Ravens receive: Brown

Why this deal works: A clear takeaway from the Ravens’ 2025 season was that their existing receivers aren’t cutting it. While this may not necessitate a major move, adding a receiver who excels in contested catches and size could greatly benefit quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has lacked this throughout his career.

By trading for Brown in exchange for Bateman, the Ravens can offer him a role as a true WR1 while utilizing Zay Flowers as a big-play WR2, fitting his skill set. In Philadelphia, DeVonta Smith is positioned to take on the WR1 role; Bateman represents a strategic buy-low opportunity for Roseman, given his potential despite modest production.

Negotiating a fair package for Brown is challenging, as he is approaching the end of his prime and would be costly for the Eagles to trade pre-June 1. for that reason, I’m proposing a deal centered around 2027 draft picks, including a conditional pick based on achieving 1,000 yards and playoff participation in 2026.

Seth Walder’s offer:

• Eagles receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 31), 2026 third-round pick, and 2026 sixth-round pick

• Patriots receive: Brown, 2026 second-round pick

Why this deal works: The Patriots reached the Super Bowl with a weak receiver corps that featured only one player surpassing 600 yards (Stefon Diggs). The road will be tougher in 2026, as their schedule is more challenging, and they face fierce competition from elite AFC quarterbacks. Brown, who previously succeeded under coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, is a fitting candidate to provide much-needed improvement.

although a drop in production last season, the metrics indicate he remained elite, finishing sixth in ESPN’s overall receiver score and ranking in the top 10 in separation metrics. though Brown is not a bargain, he would still deliver value on his current contract. The Patriots would be giving up their first-round pick, but they would essentially be trading down while securing a second-round pick in return.

The verdict: None of the offers are viable

Why would I want to strengthen other teams while weakening my own? This has essentially been Roseman’s public perspective on the matter. Brown is precisely the type of player you aim to acquire rather than relinquish, and this viewpoint is completely reasonable. Hence, if I were the Eagles, I would exhaust every effort to make the situation work. As long as hope outweighs doubt, I would reject all four proposals.

For the sake of this exercise, let’s assume that a trade is the only viable path forward. I would accept Fowler’s proposal from the Browns, as it includes a higher first-round pick (No. 24) than Graziano’s offer from the Bills (No. 26). Walder’s option provides a first-round pick but entails giving away a second-round pick, moving me away from that Patriots opportunity. While Solak’s offer from the Ravens has merit, it does not yield a first-round selection.

Would Brown’s camp push back to secure a move to a stronger contender than Cleveland? Likely. yet, this serves as a lesson for both parties: the grass is not always greener. Sometimes, it’s just brown. — McManus