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Could the Patriots trade Stefon Diggs?
The New England Patriots could be in mind for a bank-name wide receiver, as the departure of Stefon Diggs looms large in the room. Now, NFL insider Ian Rapoport indicated that the Patriots are looking to make a big move at the wide receiver position, and that A. J. Brown would be the primary target.
Brown recorded 70 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. He averaged 12.9 yards per catch and was targeted 121 times. This was his fourth season in a row with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Despite the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive struggles, he remained a dynamic weapon for the team.
Patriots In Line For Major Move
In the meantime, the Patriots are looking to fill a hole left by Diggs’ departure. The receiver was officially released on Wednesday afternoon. This ended his one-year tenure with the team. Now, Rapoport believes that Brown is still very much in play, and that they have “cleared the decks” salary cap-wise for a major move.
A.J. Brown… would certainly be the name to discuss… What the New England Patriots have in store for us over the next week is gonna be really fascinating. Whether they add to their receiver room or a big piece somewhere else, they now have cleared the decks salary cap-wise.
Brown Would Be What Patriots Need
Brown would certainly fall under the category of a playmaker. Despite being a member of the Tennessee Titans originally, he holds the Eagles franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season. That was accomplished in 2022 when he had 1,496.
He would make the most sense out of all the potential wide receiver targets. There is familiarity with him and Mike Vrabel from their time in Tennessee. The latter openly praised the wide receiver in February, and indicated that the Patriots would make whatever moves necessary to improve the team.
The wide receiver did not exactly shy away from a potential Patriots move either. He appeared on the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman last month, and did not give a direct answer when asked about him potentially coming to the Patriots. It seems, in a way, that all the proverbial stars are lining up for the receiver to be a member of the Patriots.
On top of this, Brown is younger than the recently-departed Diggs. Brown is 28 years old.
The most intriguing thing here is the money. He is currently under a three-year $96 million extension, which he signed in April 2024. The deal itself made him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history at the time of signing. He is said to make $29 million next season. It would be a steep but reasonable price to pay. Brown is one of the top playmaking receivers in the league.
Patriots Are Ready To Make A Splash
It sounds as though the Patriots are ready to make a big move. Whether it be Brown or somebody else, they are prepared to make a splash. The Patriots have struggled to get top receiver talent for several years. Now, it appears that they are in a position to do so.
Patriots fans are undoubtedly waiting in anticipation for next week, as moves are continuing to be made, and contract situations are beginning to be sorted out. It will be interesting to see what the Patriots do here, and if that big move is right around the corner.