More information on alleged Eagles, A.J. Brown understanding revealed

A recent report suggested that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and wide receiver A.J. Brown "may have an understanding that a deal will take place at some point in the summer" regarding a trade that realistically can't happen before June 1 because of the Eagles' salary-cap issues.

During Friday's edition of the ESPN "Get Up" program, NFL insider Jeff Darlington offered an update on the situation involving Brown and the Eagles. 

Have Eagles already made final A.J. Brown decision? 

According to Darlington, people around the NFL believe the Eagles will enter the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23 "operating from a place that A.J. Brown will not be on their roster" by Week 1 of the 2026 season. 

"When you're going into a draft with a player that you're waiting until after June 1 to potentially trade," Darlington explained, "you have to operate within those mindsets. You have to think about, 'What is our team going to look like without A.J. Brown if and when we trade him?' So if they take a wide receiver, absolutely, come to that conclusion." 

Reports and rumors have indicated that the Eagles could basically acquire a Brown replacement during the first round of this year's draft. That player could be a receiver or Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. However, the Eagles may have to make a trade to move up from pick No. 23 to get Sadiq. 

Not for nothing, but it sounds like the rival Washington Commanders could be at least somewhat open to making a deal with a rival club for the right price. 

What if the Eagles don't draft an alleged A.J. Brown replacement?

According to NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the New England Patriots "remain the front-runner to acquire" Brown via a trade before training camp practices get underway. One can't help but wonder if that could change if Philadelphia doesn't spend a high-value draft pick on a pass-catcher. 

"I also do think, though, even if they don't take a wide receiver, that that is not a suggestion that A.J. Brown will be sticking around," Darlington added about the Eagles. "This is a team that will be operating in this draft as if they eventually will be moving A.J. Brown, whether they ultimately do it or not."

In short, it sounds like Brown is unofficially off the Eagles' roster at this point.