For a second consecutive offseason, a star player from an NFC East team is the subject of trade speculation.
Only time will tell if Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown will follow in the footsteps of former Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, ending up elsewhere via trade like Parsons late last offseason.
During the past week, as the free agency negotiating period and 2026 league year inch closer, discussion surrounding a potential trade involving Brown has heated up. According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, the Eagles have received multiple trade offers for their leading receiver but none have reached the asking price they’re seeking.
Garafolo said Philadelphia is seeking a ‘Quinnen Williams-type deal,’ referring to the New York Jets’ move at last year’s trade deadline. New York got a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith from the Cowboys for Williams.
Here’s what to know about a possible trade for Brown, including latest rumors, news and contract details for the wide receiver:
Will the Eagles trade AJ Brown?
Latest rumors and reports indicate that Philadelphia does not plan to trade Brown unless they can recoup significant value in a deal. The wideout led the Eagles in targets and receptions last year and is still under contract through 2029.
What ‘significant value’ looks like, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, is ‘a potential first-round pick with a second-round sweetener,’ similar to the Jets’ return for Williams at last year’s trade deadline.
‘If they don’t get close to that point – or to that point – I don’t think (Eagles general manager) Howie Roseman moves him,’ Garafolo said. ‘I think he keeps A.J. Brown in the fold. He’s a really good player; he is highly valued inside that building.’
On March 4, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that ‘there’s really just a select few teams that would meet the criteria of the Eagles and of A.J. Brown himself’ in terms of available draft capital and Brown’s willingness to play for that team. Rapoport mentioned the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams as two potential suitors.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke about his relationship with Brown – who played for Vrabel’s Titans to begin his pro career – during the NFL combine last week.
‘I’ve watched him grow. I’ve watched him mature. I’m proud of him, proud of the father that he is. I’m proud of the husband,’ Vrabel said. ‘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 good things that happen to each other. Sometimes things don’t go so well for the people that you’re close with, and you text for those as well. It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today.’
Brown said in a recent appearance on Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman’s podcast, ‘Dudes on Dudes,’ that he appreciated Vrabel for holding him accountable during his early years in the league.
‘When I say he holds every single player accountable from top to bottom, I don’t care who it is, like that’s who he is,’ Brown said. ‘And it makes the team come together because nobody is bigger than the team.’
AJ Brown contract
- Length: 3 years
- Total value: $96 million
This season, Brown is set to play out the final year of the four-year, $100 million extension he signed with the Eagles in 2022. However, the three-time Pro Bowl selection signed a three-year, $96 million extension in 2024 that goes through the 2029 season, so Philadelphia could choose to keep him on its roster through the end of the decade.
Brown does not yet have any money guaranteed past 2026, since most of the guarantees on his $96 million extension were as a signing bonus, 2024 salary and 2025 compensation, according to Spotrac. It stands to reason he would want a new deal soon to make his future – with the Eagles or another team – more certain.
Brown will get $4 million in 2027 guaranteed salary on the third day of the 2026 league year, which is March 14.
One potential snag the Eagles might have with trading Brown is the cap implications that would come out of such a transaction. According to OverTheCap, if the Eagles trade Brown before June 1, they’d take on $43.4 million in dead cap – an increase of more than $20 million above his current 2026 cap hit of $23.4 million.
Alternatively, the Eagles could wait to trade Brown until after the early free agency period in March and the NFL draft in April. Trades can’t be designated for post-June 1 dates like releases can be, so a later trade means the Eagles would not be able to receive 2026 draft capital. However, Philadelphia would save $7 million in 2026 cap space with a later trade rather than taking on an additional $20 million as they would in a pre-June 1 trade.
AJ Brown stats
2025:
- Games (starts): 15 (15)
- Receptions: 78
- Receiving yards: 1,003
- Yards per reception: 12.9
- Touchdowns: 7
Career:
- Games (starts): 105 (97)
- Receptions: 524
- Receiving yards: 8,029
- Yards per reception: 15.3
- Touchdowns: 56
