A.J. Brown Trade Still Expected Next Month: Which Teams Are in the Mix?

The Eagles double-dipped on pass catchers at the top of the 2026 draft, landing a hulking move tight end and a smaller, twitchy receiver for the slot, and there remains a strong expectation that the team moves disgruntled veteran wideout AJ Brown prior to training camp.

Brown’s cumbersome salary is an issue in general to moving him, but the cap hit becomes less prohibitive after June 1. 

The Eagles are under no pressure to get him to another team early next  month, though his ongoing tension with the organization is something that would ideally get sorted out sooner rather than later, but there is also the possibility that a contending team loses a top receiver to injury in the next six weeks with spring practices underway, which could spice up the market for Brown.

The Patriots have been the team most heavily linked with Brown, but the Chiefs, for instance, were linked with many receivers in the top of the draft but leaned heavily into fortifying the defense on the first two days of selections. 

The 49ers, who at some point will part with awol receiver Brandon Aiyuk, have a very high payroll as it stands and their cap space has been an issue, but even with Mike Evans there one could make a case for Brown, especially with some of the recent injury with some of their top pass catchers.

Who Could Be Interested?

The Eagles obviously cannot exact draft picks to help them in the upcoming season in a trade, but general manager Howie Roseman has a reputation for looking for young reserve and depth players on other rosters he believes could better flourish in Philadelphia, and several execs said they could see the Eagles landing a pick in 2027 and a player for Brown.

“I still think it’s done before camp,” said one general manager who was monitoring the situation earlier in the offseason. 

“I told you all along after June 1. They can afford to wait and see what develops. They’re already obviously carrying the salary (against the cap).”

Another personnel exec mentioned Jacksonville as a potential fit for Brown. 

Jags receiver Brian Thomas, Jr. has regressed and been subject of trade rumors and 2025 top pick Travis Hunter is going to be playing way more cornerback than receiver moving forward and a vet like Brown could help fill a void there.