Patriots Reportedly in Mix for A.J. Brown Trade, But Will Have to Pay Steep Price

The Eagles are reportedly asking for a first- and second-round pick in exchange for the disgruntled wide receiver.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The New England Patriots are reportedly interested in trading for disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, but will have to pay a steep price to pry him away from the Eagles. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Eagles are asking for a first- and second-round pick in exchange for Brown, who has voiced frustration over his lack of targets in Philadelphia.

Why it matters

The Patriots have a significant need at the wide receiver position after releasing Stefon Diggs, and acquiring Brown would give them a true No. 1 target for quarterback Drake Maye. However, the high asking price from the Eagles could make it difficult for the Patriots to pull off the trade, as they would be sacrificing valuable draft capital.

The details

Brown, one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL, has seen a decline in targets over the past couple of seasons with the Eagles. This has led to Brown publicly voicing his frustration, including making cryptic social media posts and even reading a book on the sidelines during a game. In the NFC wild card round against the San Francisco 49ers, Brown drew heavy boos from the home fans after making multiple crucial drops, including one in the waning moments of the fourth quarter that contributed to the Eagles' surprising loss.

  • The Patriots released wide receiver Stefon Diggs in 2026.
  • The Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs in the NFC wild card round against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 season.

The players

A.J. Brown

A disgruntled wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles who has voiced frustration over his lack of targets in the offense.

Drake Maye

The starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, who would gain a top-tier downfield target if the team is able to acquire A.J. Brown.

Jeremy Fowler

An ESPN NFL insider who reported on the Patriots' interest in trading for A.J. Brown and the Eagles' steep asking price.

Stefon Diggs

The wide receiver the Patriots released in 2026, creating a need at the position that A.J. Brown could potentially fill.

Seattle Seahawks

The team that blew out the Patriots in the Super Bowl after the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“The Philadelphia Eagles are worth watching for reasons beyond A.J. Brown. Philly is asking for a steep price for Brown — one executive said it wants a first- and second-round pick for him. Perhaps that changes. New England is in the mix.”

— Jeremy Fowler, ESPN NFL Insider (ESPN)

What’s next

The Patriots will have to decide if they are willing to meet the Eagles' steep asking price of a first- and second-round pick in order to acquire A.J. Brown and fill their need at wide receiver.

The takeaway

This potential trade highlights the high value placed on elite wide receivers in the NFL, as the Patriots would have to sacrifice significant draft capital to acquire Brown from the Eagles. The situation also underscores the challenges teams face in keeping star players happy, as Brown's frustration with his role in Philadelphia could lead to his departure from the team.