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Eagles Announce WR Move After NFL Playoff Exit

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 7:00 PM ET

A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles finished the 2025 NFL season with an 11-6 record and a second-straight NFC East title, securing the No. 3 seed in the NFC Playoffs. However, their Super Bowl defense came to an early end in the Wild Card round, falling at home to Brock Purdy and the No. 6 seed San Francisco 49ers 23-19.

Brown had a rough outing against Kyle Shanahan's defense, recording just three catches on seven targets for 25 yards. But the former Ole Miss wide receiver still remains one of the best pass-catchers in the NFL. Through 15 regular-season games, Brown tallied 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.

Despite his solid play for the Eagles over the past four seasons, questions have emerged about whether Brown’s tenure in Philadelphia could be coming to an end. Rumors of his potential departure have been swirling, and a sideline exchange, along with his decision not to speak with the media during the Wild Card game, did little to quiet the speculation. While Brown’s future remains uncertain, the Eagles are making other moves at the position.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins.Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Quez Watkins, after four seasons at Southern Mississippi, was selected by Philadelphia with the No. 200 pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Eagles, emerging as a key contributor while recording 98 catches for 1,249 yards and six touchdowns and helping the team reach the Super Bowl.

After his fourth season in Philadelphia, Watkins had brief stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, spending most of that time on practice squads. And ahead of Week 4 of the 2025 season, the Eagles re-signed Watkins to their practice squad, though he did not appear in a regular-season game.

With Brown’s future in question, the Eagles moved to secure depth at wide receiver by signing Watkins and fellow wideout Danny Gray to reserve/future contracts. Philadelphia also signed linebacker Chance Campbell, defensive back Tariq Castro-Fields, Brandon Johnson, defensive tackle Gabe Hall, center Jake Majors and tackle Hollin Pierce to similar deals.

"We have signed the following players to Reserve/Future deals: LB Chance Campbell, DB Tariq Castro-Fields, WR Danny Gray, DT Gabe Hall, DB Brandon Johnson, C Jake Majors, T Hollin Pierce, and WR Quez Watkins," the Eagles wrote on X.

We have signed the following players to Reserve/Future deals: LB Chance Campbell, DB Tariq Castro-Fields, WR Danny Gray, DT Gabe Hall, DB Brandon Johnson, C Jake Majors, T Hollin Pierce, and WR Quez Watkins. pic.twitter.com/tUkDMccZYk
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 12, 2026

As Brown awaits clarity on his NFL future, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has continued to back the three-time All-Pro, offering nothing but praise following the loss to San Francisco despite the recent challenges.

"I love A.J.," Sirianni said. "I think he knows how I feel about him. I have a special relationship with him. We've probably [gone] through every emotion you can possibly have together. We've laughed together, we've cried together, we've yelled at each other. We're both emotional. I was trying to get him off the field, and that happens in this game. That happens in this game, but I love him."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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