Eagles Weigh Options for Trading Star WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia considering deals with Patriots, Raiders, and Rams for disgruntled wide receiver

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:00am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football player in motion, with their body broken down into sharp, geometric shapes and planes of color, conveying the complex dynamics of a potential trade.The Eagles' potential trade of star receiver A.J. Brown could reshape their offense and roster in the coming years.Denver Today

The Philadelphia Eagles are exploring potential trades involving star wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is reportedly on borrowed time with the organization. The team is considering deals with the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Rams that could net them valuable draft capital in return.

Why it matters

Brown is a top-tier wide receiver, and the Eagles will want to maximize their return if they decide to move on from him. Trading Brown could provide the team with much-needed draft picks to address other roster needs, but the timing and terms of any deal will be crucial.

The details

The Eagles could trade Brown prior to the NFL Draft and receive draft capital for 2026, but that would come with a hefty $43 million in dead money. After June 1, the dead money drops to $16 million, making a trade more feasible. Potential deals include: 1) Brown to the Patriots for a 2027 first-round pick and 2027 third-round pick, 2) Brown to the Raiders for pass rusher Maxx Crosby and a 2027 second-round pick, and 3) Brown to the Rams for a 2027 first-round pick and 2028 second-round pick.

  • The Eagles are considering trading Brown over the next few weeks, likely after June 1 when the dead money on a trade is reduced.
  • The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 2026, but the Eagles are unlikely to trade Brown during the draft itself.

The players

A.J. Brown

A star wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles who is reportedly on borrowed time with the organization.

Maxx Crosby

A premium pass rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders who could be part of a potential trade package for A.J. Brown.

Les Snead

The general manager of the Los Angeles Rams, known for his aggressive approach to trading draft capital in pursuit of championships.

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What’s next

The Eagles will likely wait until after June 1 to trade A.J. Brown, when the dead money on a deal is reduced from $43 million to $16 million. This will give them more flexibility to negotiate the best possible trade package for the star wide receiver.

The takeaway

The A.J. Brown trade saga highlights the difficult decisions NFL teams face when managing star players and their long-term roster construction. The Eagles must weigh the short-term impact of losing Brown against the potential long-term benefits of acquiring valuable draft capital in a trade.