Eagles Praised for Handling of A.J. Brown Trade Situation

ESPN analyst applauds Howie Roseman's strategy as Philadelphia holds firm on asking price for star wide receiver.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:03pm

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The Philadelphia Eagles have faced an ongoing situation with star wide receiver A.J. Brown, who has expressed frustration with the franchise over the past couple of years. Despite reports of unrest between Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Eagles have maintained a high asking price in trade discussions and have yet to reach a deal. ESPN analyst Ben Solak has praised the Eagles and general manager Howie Roseman for how they've handled the Brown trade scenario, noting that Roseman has played it well by keeping the asking price high and the salary cap open.

Why it matters

The Eagles' handling of the A.J. Brown situation is significant because he is one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL. Parting ways with that level of production would be difficult to replace, so Roseman is right to maintain a high asking price and not rush into a trade that doesn't meet the team's value. The outcome of these trade discussions could have major implications for the Eagles' future.

The details

Over the past couple of years, Brown has expressed clear frustration with the Eagles franchise, including an incident where he was spotted reading a book on the sideline during a game. Reports of unrest between Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts have also circulated. This offseason, the Eagles have engaged in trade discussions with multiple teams about potentially moving Brown, but Roseman has held firm on a high asking price and has not been willing to drop it. ESPN's Ben Solak praised Roseman's strategy, noting that he has kept the asking price high and the salary cap open, which has centralized Brown in the wide receiver trade market.

  • The Eagles entered the 2026 NFL offseason with the A.J. Brown situation brewing.
  • Brown was spotted reading a book on the sideline in the middle of a game, which summed up his frustration with the franchise.
  • The Eagles have had discussions with multiple teams about a potential Brown trade this offseason, but no deal has been completed yet.

The players

A.J. Brown

A star wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles who has expressed frustration with the franchise over the past couple of years.

Jalen Hurts

The quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom Brown has reportedly had unrest.

Howie Roseman

The general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, who has maintained a high asking price in trade discussions for A.J. Brown.

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What they’re saying

“How general manager Howie Roseman walked the line of an A.J. Brown trade. He kept his asking price high and kept the cap open by delaying Goedert's void date, which centralized Brown in the WR trade market. Although no deal got done, the Broncos-Dolphins Jaylen Waddle trade certainly strengthened the Eagles' case for getting a first-round pick for Brown (who is only a year older than Waddle).”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst

“We'll wait to see which teams remain in need of a star receiver after June 1, when the cap hit of a Brown trade becomes far more palatable. The hay isn't in the barn yet — the Eagles still need a dance partner come June. But Roseman is playing this well.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Eagles will continue to engage in trade discussions for A.J. Brown, with the expectation that a deal could be more likely to happen after June 1 when the salary cap impact becomes more manageable for potential suitors.

The takeaway

The Eagles' handling of the A.J. Brown trade situation has been praised by ESPN, as general manager Howie Roseman has maintained a high asking price and kept the team's salary cap flexible. This strategy has centralized Brown in the wide receiver trade market and could pay off for the Eagles if they are able to secure a first-round pick or other valuable assets in exchange for the star wideout.