A.J. Brown
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NFL.com's Matt Okada pitched a new NFL trade proposal that would send Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown back to the Tennessee Titans.
There’s a little unknown rule in the NFL that doesn’t allow teams to re-acquire a player they previously traded within two years of the original trade. However, Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown is beyond requirement, making the wideout a potential target of any of the other 31 teams. That includes his original club, the Tennessee Titans.
On Tuesday, NFL.com’s Matt Okada explored the possibility of Brown returning to the Titans through a trade this offseason.
Okada proposed the Titans send the Eagles their 2026 second-round pick (No. 35 overall) and a 2027 first-rounder. In return, Tennessee would receive Brown and a 2026 fifth-rounder (No. 178 overall).
“The goal for GM Mike Borgonzi should be to find a catalyst for second-year QB Cam Ward, much like Stefon Diggs was for Josh Allen and A.J. Brown was for Jalen HurtsJalen Hurts" data-link="/players/jalen-hurts/" data-slug="jalen-hurts">,” wrote Okada. “Free-agent additionWan'Dale Robinson" data-link="/players/wan-dale-robinson/" data-slug="wan-dale-robinson"> Wan’Dale Robinson is an excellent fit in Tennessee, but he’s not a bona fide WR1. The Titans could find a solution in the draft, but that approach brings higher risk and potentially a longer timeline.
“The one big wrinkle with the Titans, of course, is the fact that they drafted Brown back in 2019, and then traded him to the Eagles for first- and third-round picks in 2022. It would be a strange twist, but not entirely unprecedented.”
Brown played three seasons with the Titans from 2019-21 to begin his career. He made his first Pro Bowl while with the Titans during 2020.
Over three seasons with the Titans, Brown registered 185 catches, 2,995 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
The Eagles acquired Brown for a pair of draft picks, including a first-rounder, in 2022.
Why the Titans Could Acquire A.J. Brown From Eagles
A.J. Brown
GettyNFL.com’s Matt Okada pitched a new NFL trade proposal that would send Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown back to the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans were one of six potential trade destinations Okada proposed Tuesday. Other pundits, though, might consider the Titans the least likely of the six for a couple reasons.
First, the Titans are not expected to be contenders in 2026. That makes an expensive wide receiver who will turns 29 years old in June a far less desirable trade candidate.
Tennessee also only has one 2026 first-round pick, which is No. 4 overall. Brown isn’t worth that selection but has more value than Tennessee’s second-rounder.
But Okada sees Brown being an asset for quarterback Cam Ward’s development. Okada’s trade proposal also helped the two teams overcome the Titans only have a top 5 pick in the first round this spring.
Finally, the NFL.com analyst argued the Titans are a fit for Brown because they can fit the receiver easily under the salary cap.
“The Titans also could be the best-suited team to take on Brown’s contract, as they have the most salary-cap space right now ($63.2 million at the time this was posted),” wrote Okada. “Tennessee’s position in the draft does make compensation interesting, as its only first-rounder is the fourth overall pick, but perhaps Philadelphia would be willing to push the desired first out to 2027 for a more lucrative overall return.”
When Will Eagles Trade Brown If a Deal Happens?
A.J. Brown
GettyWill the Philadelphia Eagles trade wide receiver A.J. Brown this offseason?
Brown is a trade candidate this offseason after a drama-filled 2025 campaign. The Eagles top wideout still had 78 catches, but he posted a career-low 12.9 yards per catch during 2025.
Behind that average, Brown barely cleared the 1,000-yard mark.
The Eagles signed receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore in 2026 NFL free agency. Those additions could be in preparation for the team to trade Brown.
But that doesn’t mean a deal will happen before the 2026 NFL Draft. There’s quite a bit of incentive for the Eagles not to make a trade until June.
If the Eagles deal Brown before June 1, they will accept a $43.44 million dead cap hit according to Over the Cap. That dead cap hit falls to $16.35 million after June 1.
That fact could make the Titans proposal intriguing because it included a 2027 first-rounder. But if the Eagles wish to wait until June 1, then they won’t be able to acquire Tennessee’s 2026 second-rounder for Brown.