-
Tim McManusFeb 24, 2026, 05:10 AM ET
Close-
Tim McManus covers the Philadelphia Eagles for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2016 after covering the Eagles for Philadelphia Magazine’s Birds 24/7, a site he helped create, since 2010.
Multiple Authors
PHILADELPHIA — Coach Nick Sirianni noted that there is a shared interest between receiver A.J. Brown and the team in continuing his journey with the Eagles, but neither he nor general manager Howie Roseman assured that Brown would be in their lineup next season.
“Yes, my expectation is he wants to stay. And obviously, having talented players like him in your organization is essential,” Sirianni remarked during a media session before the combine.
“As Howie mentioned, securing quality players in this league is challenging. A.J. is an exceptional player, a good teammate, and a quality individual. Does he want to remain here? Yes. Do I want him here? Absolutely,” Sirianni stated.
When directly asked about Brown’s status for next season, Sirianni’s reply was less decisive.
“Will A.J. be here next season? I think we’re in a position where I can’t guarantee how things will unfold for the next season. I plan to be the coach, but nothing is guaranteed beyond tomorrow,” he said.
Brown has been linked to trade talks this offseason stemming from a 2025 campaign where he candidly voiced his frustrations regarding the offense.
yet, Brown referred to Philadelphia as his “home” and expressed he felt “fortunate” to be among the leaders of the Eagles’ offense during an appearance on Micah Parson’s podcast during Super Bowl week, mentioning his enthusiasm for changes in the coaching staff.
Roseman emphasized the challenge of finding great players like Brown.
“From my viewpoint, we aim to enhance every aspect and that doesn’t happen by letting go of talent,” he expressed.
Nevertheless, Roseman mentioned they would be open to considering trade proposals for Brown, reflecting a broader operational philosophy.
“Entering the league year, it’s vital to be receptive to offers for anything and everything,” he affirmed. “If someone presents an unexpected offer that merits discussion, ignoring that would be a disservice to your team.”
“You can never predict what teams may be willing to do. We’ve encountered scenarios where players we didn’t anticipate moving received offers too good to resist, and then we weigh that against what we can gain.”
“Without delving into specifics about any player, we’re always attentive and open to discussions. There are very few situations where I would dismiss an inquiry outright, as there’s no harm in listening,” he noted.
At 28, Brown arguably stands as the finest receiver in Eagles history, recording two 1,400-yard seasons and aiding the team in reaching two Super Bowls in four years. He concluded the previous season with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.
If the Eagles decide to trade Brown before June 1, they would incur a dead-cap hit exceeding $40 million, in contrast to less than $20 million if the deal happens after that date. The acquiring team would be responsible for his $29 million salary in 2026 and approximately $4 million in guaranteed money for 2027, according to the Roster Management System.
