A recent update suggested that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman would "rather not do a deal than complete a bad one" as it pertains to trading wide receiver A.J. Brown this offseason. Brown signed a three-year, $96M contract extension in the spring of 2024, and he hasn't gone public with a trade request since the end of the 2025 season. On Thursday, NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports hinted that there may be a reason Brown isn't loudly answering those who are recruiting him to push for a trade to the New England Patriots. Do Eagles, A.J. Brown have an "understanding" about a future trade? "What sources have pointed out to me is that Brown has done nothing publicly to try to punch his way out of Philly, and those sources have theorized that Brown may have an understanding that a deal will take place at some point in the summer," Jones explained. "Making a public stink does not help his position, especially when he could be on another team by (organized team activities) and minicamp in June anyway." This offseason, the Eagles have added receivers Dontayvion Wicks, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and Elijah Moore to their roster. None of those players is a like-for-like A.J. Brown replacement, but the Eagles reportedly "view DeVonta Smith as a WR1 capable of thriving with a larger workload." It sounds like Smith may get that larger workload beginning in September. Have Eagles been preparing to move on from A.J. Brown all along? "Philadelphia has positioned itself to move forward in 2026 with a receivers group that can live without [A.J. Brown]," Jones continued. "At this point, it would be a surprise if Brown is not on a new team by the start of training camp." One thing that hasn't changed is that trading A.J. Brown before June 1 would do unnecessary harm to the Eagles' salary-cap situation. Jones repeated that the Patriots "remain the front-runner to acquire" A.J. Brown, but that could change if New England spends a high-value draft pick to grab a highly rated receiver prospect on April 23.
Will NFL insider Dianna Russini land another gig in sports media after resigning from The Athletic on Tuesday? The Athletic's investigation into Russini's controversial hotel photos with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is ongoing. The reporter, meanwhile, has made it clear she's not leaving media. In her resignation letter, the former ESPN staffer wrote one reason she chose to terminate her contract (which ended June 30) is to avoid "[lending the story] further oxygen or to let it define [her] or [her] career." One would think media outlets wouldn't consider hiring Russini, given the potential public relations debacle. Still, she has made many connections throughout her 16-year career in sports journalism, including Fox Sports Radio host Jon "Stugotz" Weiner. He has already said he would employ her if she ever left The Athletic. What did Jon "Stugotz" Weiner say about Dianna Russini? "The entire industry is littered with conflicts of interest," Weiner said on his radio show last week (h/t Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports). "Every single take that anyone makes is littered with a conflict of interest. I don't want to hear about it. I spoke to her, O.K., she's going through a very difficult time. She's going to survive this. And again, anyone who wants to get rid of her, I will hire her in two seconds." Weiner's former on-air partner, Dan Le Batard (now with Meadowlark Media), said he hadn't spoken to Russini, a recurring guest on his show, about the Vrabel fiasco. He didn't say he would hire her, but he did compliment her work. "This woman is at the height of sports journalism," he said. "She got there the right and hardest way. Fighting the other information people to get to the top of information that is credible, that is rock solid reported, stronger than the opinion-maker. She's not an opinion-maker. She's a journalist. And she has good relationships in the business." What are other potential landing spots for Dianna Russini? Sports Illustrated's Jimmy Traina noted that either Fox Sports' TV branch or Barstool Sports may be willing to hire Russini. Barstool, of course, hasn't shied away from bringing on polemic figures. Barstool hired former NFL head coach/ESPN personality Jon Gruden in November 2024. Gruden resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2021 after a series of emails — containing racist, misogynistic and homophobic language — that were sent to former Washington Commanders executive Bruce Allen were leaked. He alleges the NFL revealed them and is suing the league. A trial date is set for May 2027. But with the probe ongoing, media companies will likely avoid Russini until more information is divulged. And even after it concludes, it could take the reporter a long time to erase the storyline from people's minds. That will make it harder for Russini to find her next job, despite one of her friends being on the record saying he'd hire her on the spot.
Unhappy with a contract that does not include any more guaranteed money, Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence requested a trade earlier this month. The Giants and Lawrence continued contract talks after he asked out, but those negotiations broke off on Wednesday. While the Giants trading the disgruntled Lawrence is a possibility, it is not a lock. Lawrence does indeed want out, per reports from CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones and Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. However, the Giants are not giving him away at a discounted rate. The Giants want at least a first-round pick for the four-time Pro Bowler, according to Jones, who floats the idea of the team demanding a 2027 first- and a 2026 second-rounder for Lawrence. Doing so would give the Giants until Day 2 of this year’s draft to find a trade partner. If Lawrence is still a Giant on Day 3, April 25, it may take a long time for a trade to come together (if it happens at all). The most recent trade involving a star defensive tackle came last November when the Jets shipped Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. Dallas parted with the aforementioned 2027 first- and 2026 second-rounder package. The Cowboys also threw in D-tackle Mazi Smith, a 2023 first-rounder who has been a bust. The Giants are probably not in position to receive that strong of an offer, though, considering an acquiring team would have to give Lawrence a raise. Conversely, the Cowboys did not have to make any adjustments to Williams’ contract. Lawrence is owed $19.5MM in each of the next two seasons, but Jones writes that he “will likely” climb into the upper $20MM range on a new deal. With Lawrence angling for more money, one source told Schwartz the Giants may not even get a first-rounder for the 28-year-old Lawrence, adding that “[he] will be in camp, he’s got nowhere to go.” A Giant since they chose him 17th overall in the 2019 draft, Lawrence put pen to paper on his current pact – a four-year, $90MM extension with $60MM in guarantees – in May 2023. Joe Schoen, the general manager who authorized the contract, is still in his post. But Lawrence has been frustrated with how the team has been run and “what’s been valued in the locker room” over the past three years, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post writes. He has been open to a trade dating to the start of last year, Jordan Raanan of ESPN adds. Schoen has since lost power to new head coach John Harbaugh, but Lawrence’s frustration with the organization has not subsided. While Dunleavy believes Lawrence would accept a “big raise” from the Giants, they are not not inclined to give him one. A trade does not appear imminent either, though the Giants have have held talks with other teams, per Raanan. With the draft starting a week from tonight, this will remain a fascinating situation to monitor.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is firing back at LaMelo Ball over Ball’s controversial move in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Adebayo revealed Thursday that Ball has not apologized to him for the trip that knocked him out of Miami’s 127-126 overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. Ball had said after the game that he intended to reach out and apologize for the incident. “It didn’t happen,” Adebayo said. “By that time I was in the shower trying to figure out what I was going to do next. Obviously, everything happened all at once. At some point I’ll see him again and we’ll have that conversation.” Adebayo did not seem too bothered by the lack of apology, and he chalked it up to the two not crossing paths after Tuesday’s game. He also said he had no idea if Ball made a dirty play or had any intent in tripping him, even though the Hornets guard has done it twice now. Ball was ultimately punished for the trip by the NBA. He will still be available Friday when the Hornets face the Orlando Magic for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
