All offseason long, there has been no shortage of smoke to the fire that the Philadelphia Eagles could trade wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots.As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, we have a bit more clarity on the situation.According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a trade between the Patriots and Eagles involving Brown is “still tracking to happen on or after June 1.”“No matter what happens at this week’s draft, an A.J. Brown trade to the Patriots is still on the table and still tracking to happen on or after June 1, per league sources,” Schefter reported.The reason behind the wait for that date has to do with Brown’s 2026 salary cap charge.Schefter notes that Brown’s $40 million hit would be split between 2026 and 2027 if the two sides pull the trigger on the deal after June 1.This would soften the blow of the dead-cap hit the Eagles would take on when they deal their star wideout.Why Eagles could trade A.J.

BrownAug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesBrown has been disgruntled over the Eagles’ dysfunction on offense that has led to a poor showing from the unit overall, and inconsistent volume and production for Brown.Most of the Eagles’ issues have been blamed on Jalen Hurts, who came out of an ESPN article written about him earlier this month looking terrible.With all the negativity surrounding the Eagles, Brown has reportedly requested a trade on multiple occasions and it looks as though Philly will oblige.The Eagles have made moves that seem to indicate they’re preparing for such a move, as the team has signed Marquise Brown and traded for Dontayvion Wicks this offseason.Patriots and Brown are a perfect matchFeb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium.

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThe Patriots need more help at wide receiver, plain and simple.Following the release of Stefon Diggs, the Patriots don’t have a true No. 1 wide receiver for Drake Maye.The Pats’ wide receivers room is headlined by a No. 2 receiver, at best, in Romeo Doubs, who was signed in free agency, and Kayshon Boutte, who is really a No. 3.Brown would immediately become the undisputed No. 1 target for Maye and would have no shortage of targets coming his way.Brown also has a connection to Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who he played under when both were with the Tennessee Titans.What a Brown trade could costDec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J.

Brown (11) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn ImagesAlbert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes the Eagles may ultimately end up with a 2028 first-round pick or a 2027 conditional second-rounder that can become a first.The Patriots do have all of their draft picks in the next two years, so they have the capital to pull that off.We could easily see the Patriots giving up that much, and maybe even more. After all, there is nothing more important than putting Maye in the best possible position to succeed, and the Patriots have Super Bowl aspirations.