Eagles Forced to Trade Star WR A.J. Brown After Signing Him to $96M Extension

The defending Super Bowl champions must move on from their top receiver due to the contract's structure.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:50am by Ben Kaplan

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The Philadelphia Eagles signed star wide receiver A.J. Brown to a three-year, $96 million extension in 2024, intending to make him a cornerstone of their offense for years to come. However, Brown's production dipped in 2025, and the contract's structure has now put the Eagles in a difficult position, forcing them to trade Brown before June 1 to avoid a massive salary cap hit. Several teams, including the Patriots, Chargers, and Rams, have explored a deal, but the Eagles are maintaining a high asking price for their former Pro Bowler.

Why it matters

The Eagles' decision to trade Brown highlights the challenges of long-term contract extensions, even for elite players. The contract was designed to keep Brown in Philadelphia, but its structure has now become a liability, forcing the team to move on from a player they had hoped would be a key part of their future. This situation underscores the delicate balance teams must strike between rewarding top talent and maintaining financial flexibility.

The details

The Eagles signed Brown to the $96 million extension in 2024 after he had produced several 1,000-yard seasons, cementing his status as one of the league's top receivers. However, his numbers dipped in 2025, leading to frustration and tensions within the organization. The contract included option bonuses and void years that created a crucial June 1 deadline, where the Eagles' cap hit for trading Brown would dramatically decrease. Several teams, including the Patriots, Chargers, and Rams, have explored a deal, but the Eagles have maintained a high asking price, limiting the pool of potential buyers.

  • In April 2024, the Eagles signed A.J. Brown to a three-year, $96 million extension.
  • In February 2025, the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • In the 2025 season, Brown's production declined, leading to frustration within the organization.
  • Heading into the 2026 season, the Eagles are facing a June 1 deadline to trade Brown before his contract becomes a major cap burden.

The players

Howie Roseman

The general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, who has been publicly repeating that Brown is a member of the team despite the impending trade.

Les Snead

The general manager of the Los Angeles Rams, who admitted that his team had discussed a trade for Brown with the Eagles.

A.J. Brown

The star wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, who signed a $96 million extension in 2024 but has seen his production decline and is now on the trade block.

Mike Vrabel

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who has a history with Brown from their time together with the Tennessee Titans.

Jalen Hurts

The quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, who is likely to receive a contract restructure as the team looks to free up cap space.

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What they’re saying

“My answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles.”

— Howie Roseman, General Manager, Philadelphia Eagles

“We chatted with Philly, nothing worked out.”

— Les Snead, General Manager, Los Angeles Rams

“This offense is a s—show.”

— A.J. Brown

What’s next

The Eagles are expected to trade A.J. Brown before the June 1 deadline, as the contract structure makes it financially advantageous to do so. Several teams, including the Patriots, Chargers, and Rams, have expressed interest in acquiring the star receiver, but the Eagles are maintaining a high asking price for their former Pro Bowler.

The takeaway

The Eagles' situation with A.J. Brown highlights the challenges teams face in balancing long-term contract extensions with financial flexibility. While the $96 million deal was intended to keep Brown in Philadelphia, its structure has now become a liability, forcing the team to trade him to avoid a significant salary cap hit. This case underscores the delicate nature of contract negotiations and the importance of anticipating potential future scenarios when structuring deals for elite players.