A.J. Brown and Christian Gonzalez
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
If you know anything about how the NFL preseason works, then you know that when teams come together for joint practices, it’s always a marked occasion simply for the fact that we all know these dudes are about to throw down.
For some reason — not that anyone is complaining — the grind of working out and playing football at the hottest time of the year can lead to some pretty incredible on-field fights.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports that 1 particular joint practice possibility this offseason could be 1 for the ages — what could be a mega-super-spectactular throwdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots.
“Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni have had preliminary discussions about the possibility of having the teams practice together in the preseason — likely in Foxborough, according to a league source,” Reiss wrote on Sunday. “Part of that would be tied to the NFL granting the teams’ request to face each other in the preseason, which isn’t usually a major hurdle. If it happens, the atmosphere and competition at the newly named New Balance Practice Fields would be buzzing.”
Depending on 1 individual, it could be much more than buzz — it could be an event.
Eagles-Patriots Also Circling Blockbuster Trade
The Eagles and Patriots have seen their teams’ names mentioned together on almost a daily basis this offseason — all thanks to a potential blockbuster trade that would send 3-time NFL All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Eagles to the Patriots.
Brown is not only a longtime Patriots fan dating back to his childhood, but he also played for Vrabel when he was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
Because of salary cap implications, no deal for Brown will likely be done until after June 1 — if it gets done at all — when his dead cap number for the Patriots in 2026 would go from $44 million to $20 million.