A.J. Brown will reportedly 'most likely' be traded to this AFC team at this time

Rumors about the Philadelphia Eagles possibly trading wide receiver A.J. Brown either before or after June 1 seemingly won't be going anywhere ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. 

During the latest edition of the "Patriots Talk Podcast," NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk called his shot regarding where Brown will land and when he will be traded. 

This "primary contender" likely to trade for A.J. Brown?

"If a trade happens, when a trade happens -- and people around the league are saying a trade will happen -- it'll happen on or after June 2, with A.J. Brown most likely being traded to the New England Patriots," Florio explained, per Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston. "Because the two primary contenders were the Patriots and the Rams, and my understanding is the Rams tapped out. ...The question is whether there's someone else who decides, 'We're going to do this,' especially after the draft. You go through the draft process, you may decide, 'We didn't get the guy we wanted, we still have a need here. Let's jump into this A.J. Brown pursuit.'"

Reasons related to the salary cap are reportedly why Brown will remain with the Eagles through at least the end of May. That said, ESPN NFL insider Jeff Darlington said last week that he has been led to believe a Brown trade "is more about when, not if." 

The Patriots have a need at the position and have Mike Vrabel serving as their head coach. Vrabel was previously Brown's head coach when the two were employed by the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through the 2021 season. 

Why the Eagles allegedly won't keep A.J. Brown

"I had somebody who is in position to have a reason to understand the dynamics of the Eagles' salary cap into the future, and this person early in free agency insisted the Eagles have to trade A.J. Brown before next year," Florio added during the segment. "That if they make the move next year, it's going to wreak havoc on their salary cap in light of their other commitments and cap charges and whatnot."

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has reportedly set a first-round draft pick and a second-round selection as the asking price for Brown. Roseman may simply wait to see if a bidding war for Brown emerges after the draft before the Eagles get serious about trade talks later this spring.