The New England Patriots followed up their miserable 2024-25 campaign with a much-improved 2025-26 regular season performance and Super Bowl appearance.
New England was overwhelmed by the Seattle Seahawks’ relentless pass rush and well-balanced offensive attack in the final game of the year, though, resulting in a season-ending 29-13 loss. However, there’s no question that the future appears bright for Mike Vrabel and the six-time Super Bowl champions.
With the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reporting that the Patriots won’t bring back 1,000-yard receiver Stefon Diggs for another season, identifying a high-level WR1 on the offseason trade/free agent market should be among the franchise's top priorities.
Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown has been linked to the Patriots lately. That said, Fox Sports Radio and All City Sports’ Anthony Gargano revealed the Eagles rejected a blockbuster trade offer from New England involving Brown.
“Well, I do know that the Patriots have made an offer for A.J.,” Gargano said on ‘The Anthony Gargano Show’ Friday. “It’s around a one and a three (first-round and third-round NFL Draft picks). Not sure if the one is this year or next year, but I hear it’s a one and a three, and (Eagles general manager) Howie (Roseman) said no.”
Brown is an interesting trade target, to say the least. When the Ole Miss product is disengaged/exhibiting poor body language due to minimal targets (playcalling/Jalen Hurts’ tendency to misread the field), he can make crucial mistakes in key moments. Think back to the Eagles’ 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild-card round.
Brown, who only recorded three receptions for 25 yards in the contest, failed to come down with a pinpoint pass over the middle of the field on third-and-5 with slightly over two minutes remaining.
However, when the 28-year-old Super Bowl champion is fully locked in, he shows why he’s among the best deep threats/contested catch receivers in the league. Brown finished with 80 receiving yards seven times last season (he finished with 1,003 total yards in 15 outings).
At the end of the day, despite being somewhat of a head case, Brown could help provide the ascending Patriots with the star power at the receiver position they currently lack.
New England’s recent trade offer for the former second-round pick won’t get the job done anytime soon, though, forcing it to return to the drawing board.
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