Patriots Hesitant to Give Up First-Round Pick for A.J. Brown

New England skeptical of Philadelphia's high asking price for star wide receiver

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The New England Patriots are reportedly interested in trading for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, but the team is hesitant to part with a first-round draft pick to acquire him. The Eagles are believed to be seeking a 2027 first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick in exchange for Brown, but the Patriots have so far been unwilling to give up a first-rounder, according to a league source.

Why it matters

The Patriots are in desperate need of a top wide receiver after releasing Stefon Diggs, and Brown would fill that role nicely. However, New England is wary of meeting Philadelphia's high asking price, which could prevent them from landing the star wideout and leave them without a clear No. 1 receiving option.

The details

Brown is coming off a strong 2025 season in which he recorded 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Eagles appear open to moving on from Brown after a drama-filled campaign, but they are holding firm on their trade demands. The Patriots have few options left on the free agent market, so acquiring Brown via trade may be their best path to landing a top receiver, but the two teams remain at an impasse over the asking price.

  • The Patriots' interest in A.J. Brown has been ongoing since the start of the 2026 NFL offseason.

The players

A.J. Brown

A star wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles who had over 1,000 receiving yards in 2025.

New England Patriots

An NFL team in desperate need of a top wide receiver after releasing Stefon Diggs.

Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL team that currently employs A.J. Brown and is seeking a high trade price for the star wideout.

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What they’re saying

“A league source conveyed to me Monday the belief that the Eagles may be okay with a 2027 1st round pick & a 2026 2nd round pick for WR AJ Brown. So far, Patriots have had a hard time giving up a first, per source. Not clear if that sentiment pertains to both 2026 and 2027, just yet.”

— Josina Anderson, NFL insider (X)

What’s next

The Patriots and Eagles will likely continue to negotiate a potential trade for A.J. Brown, but New England's reluctance to part with a first-round pick could prevent a deal from materializing.

The takeaway

This standoff between the Patriots and Eagles over the trade price for A.J. Brown highlights the challenges teams face in acquiring elite talent via trade, as well as the importance of having a strong bargaining position when negotiating with desperate teams in need of top-tier players.