Patriots Beat Reporters Downplay Chances of Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown Trades

New England unlikely to pay high asking prices for star players, per reports.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 12:15am

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According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the New England Patriots are unlikely to pursue high-profile trades for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby or Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown this offseason, as the team does not view itself as "one player away" from a Super Bowl return and is unwilling to pay the steep asking prices similar to the Dallas Cowboys' deal for Micah Parsons.

Why it matters

The Patriots have needs at both edge rusher and wide receiver, and acquiring players like Crosby or Brown could significantly boost their chances of returning to the Super Bowl. However, the team appears committed to a more measured approach in the offseason, focusing on the draft and developing depth rather than making a splashy trade for a star player.

The details

Reiss' assessment comes after hearing comments from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and executive vice president Eliot Wolf at the NFL Combine. Vrabel emphasized the importance of the draft in building a successful team, while Wolf acknowledged the team did not expect to win the AFC last season. Meanwhile, reports indicate the Raiders are seeking two first-round picks and a player for Crosby, while the Eagles' asking price for Brown is deemed "unserious" by Patriots reporters.

  • The Patriots' comments were made at the 2026 NFL Combine in March.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A 28-year-old edge rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders.

A.J. Brown

A wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mike Vrabel

The head coach of the New England Patriots.

Eliot Wolf

The executive vice president of player personnel for the New England Patriots.

Mike Reiss

An ESPN reporter who covers the New England Patriots.

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What they’re saying

“The draft has to be the cornerstone of the team. We have to continue to draft well and develop because that's the only way you can sustain the success we envision.”

— Mike Vrabel, Head Coach

“It's understanding where we are as a team, sticking true to 'Hey, maybe we need a little more depth here.' I think it's pretty common knowledge, we probably didn't go into the [2025] season expecting to win the AFC.”

— Eliot Wolf, Executive Vice President of Player Personnel

The takeaway

The Patriots appear to be taking a more measured approach this offseason, focusing on the draft and building depth rather than making a splashy trade for a star player like Maxx Crosby or A.J. Brown. This suggests the team does not view itself as "one player away" from a Super Bowl return and is unwilling to pay the steep asking prices similar to the Cowboys' deal for Micah Parsons.