The New England Patriots are expected to trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown in the coming weeks, but neither side has been willing to confirm it.
Adam Schefter recently reported that the two sides are likely to come to an agreement after June 1, and many experts believe all that's left for the two sides to do is put pen to paper. The belief seems to be that a deal is already in place, but the sides won't agree until after June 1, because that's when it makes more sense for the Eagles to deal Brown.
Howie Roseman has continuously responded with something along the lines of "A.J. Brown is an Eagle," when asked about the rumors. Eliot Wolf has responded with some form of saying, "We will continue to explore all avenues to improve our football team." Neither side wants to come out and say a deal will happen and risk any punishment from the league for tampering or anything along those lines.
However, Eagles insider Elliot Shorr-Parks joined WEEI on Thursday and said what both sides are seemingly scared to: A.J. Brown will be a Patriot soon.
"Yeah, that's my full expectation," Shorr-Parks said when asked if he's hearing that Brown will be a Patriot after June 1. "I believe A.J. will be traded to the Patriots. Everything I hear in Philadelphia is that A.J. will not be on the team, and the expectation is that he will be traded to New England."
There has been smoke pointing to this trade for months. First, the Patriots did not draft a single wide receiver, despite cutting ties with Stefon Diggs in the offseason. They signed Romeo Doubs, but he has not proven himself as a true No. 1 option in the NFL yet, and he had huge shoes to fill. Second, the Eagles traded up in the first round of the draft to select a wide receiver, Makai Lemon. They also traded for Dontayvion Wicks.
There was also a recent report that suggested that Brown was inquiring about condos in Seaport. Brown was a Patriots fan before he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans and he has a strong relationship with Mike Vrabel. He wants to be a Patriot and is seemingly just waiting for June 1.
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