A.J. Brown
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 26: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on October 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots are officially in the A.J. Brown sweepstakes. While it’s still unclear if the Eagles would be willing to part with their star wide receiver, they are at least exploring the possibility. Trade talks have been swirling since early in the 2025 season, when Philadelphia’s offense was struggling and Brown was visibly frustrated with his role and production.
There’s no denying Brown’s talent: he’s one of the very best wide receivers in the league. He would immediately upgrade New England’s offense, stretching the field and providing a big-bodied, versatile target the Patriots were missing last year. Even in a down season, Brown had 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns — from 2022 to 2023, Brown totaled 194 receptions for 2,952 and 18 touchdowns.
The New England Patriots Are Balking at the Asking Price for WR A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 23: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball while under pressure by Caelen Carson #21 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
According to Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, the Patriots are actively exploring a trade for A.J. Brown. However, Callahan described New England as feeling the Eagles’ current asking price for Brown is “unserious” despite their interest.
Now, Callahan goes on to mention that the Eagles can reasonably expect to get a better haul than the Seahawks did a year ago when they sent WR D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers for a second round pick, No. 52 overall (as well as a late-round pick swap).
This may mean that the Patriots want to hold on to their first-round pick, sitting at No. 31 overall. Or it could mean that the Eagles want a player in return that the Patriots are unwilling to move. Regardless, it seems the two sides are at an impasse until either the Eagles lower their asking price or the Patriots acquiesce to their demands.
The New England Patriots Need to Get Better at Wide Receiver
Despite the Patriots making a run to the Super Bowl, their offense sputtered in the playoffs. It’s true they faced some of the league’s best defenses along the way, but MVP runner-up QB Drake Maye struggled behind a suddenly porous offensive line and New England lacked the weapons on the outside to win one-on-one battles.
In that sense, Brown would be a truly game-changing addition to the Patriots’ offense. Last year, New England’s leading receiver was veteran Stefon Diggs, who had 85 receptions for 1,013 yards. Those are good numbers, but Diggs is nearing the end of his career, and he’s not the dominant force that Brown is at his peak.
Young receivers like Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams have promising futures, but they all project as role players, complementary weapons around a star. Brown can be that star, and he’d immediately transform this Patriots receiving corps from a weakness to one of the better units in the league. As Maye enters his third season and the Patriots look to run it back and finish the run this time, Brown would elevate this offense big time.