The New England Patriots were dangerously close to being backed into a corner.
They were getting rid of Stefon Diggs and knew they needed a new No. 1 wide receiver. They'd been heavily linked in trade talks to Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown. But the Eagles are heavily financially incentivized to hold Brown beyond June 1 before trading him.
The Patriots would've had to pay the Eagles a hefty price to trade for Brown right now.
Instead, New England found an alternative path. They signed former Packers WR Romeo Doubs to a reported four-year free agent contract.
That gives the Pats wiggle room. Doubs, if he has to be, can be their No. 1 wideout. They don't have to trade for Brown immediately.
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The draft will arrive in April, too, well before the ideal window to trade for Brown. The Patriots could draft another wide receiver if they want, or they could wait out Brown.
Either way, they avoided the giant cost.
"Now, the Patriots have put a trade for Brown on the back burner," The Athletic's Chad Graff wrote. "They can wait to see if the Eagles budge. Maybe a wide receiver prospect the Pats have a high grade on falls to them with the 31st pick in the draft, and they move on from Brown altogether. Maybe their current group of wide receivers impresses them during spring practices to the point they pass on a potential Eagles offer for Brown on June 2. Or, maybe, the price for Brown does indeed come down in June, and the Pats acquire a No. 1 wide receiver for Maye, securing the player they wanted all along at a relative discount. At least the Patriots have options and some leverage. They didn’t have much of either before Tuesday."
New England is coming off a Super Bowl appearance and wants to get even better ahead of a crucial 2026 campaign. Doubs will help them do that. Brown would, too, but the Pats have removed any need for desperation and can take a smart approach to their trade talks with the Eagles now.
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