Saquon Barkley opens up about Eagles' likely trade of A.J. Brown to Patriots

Arguably the worst-kept NFL-related secret of the spring is that the Philadelphia Eagles are widely expected to trade wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots as soon as next week.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suggested that Brown's likely departure "really doesn't change" how he and his teammates are preparing for the upcoming season. Also on Wednesday, star running back Saquon Barkley sounded like an Eagles player who sees the writing on the wall.

Saquon Barkley seems to say goodbye to A.J. Brown

"I don't think we've really addressed it," Barkley said about a potential Brown trade, per Bobby Kownack of the NFL's website. "It's football. It's the National Football League. It's gonna be a hard time for me to say anything bad about A.J. Brown. I'm a big fan of A.J. Brown. One of my really good friends. One of my favorite teammates I've ever been around. Just respect him as a man."

Barkley and Brown were among the Eagles players who helped the team win Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. Since then, however, numerous reports have indicated that Brown has wanted to feature for a different club, perhaps because his working relationship with Hurts may be damaged beyond repair. 

The Eagles reportedly could receive a 2028 first-round draft pick as part of trading Brown to the Patriots via what will go down as a post-June 1 transaction for reasons related to the salary cap. It appears that Barkley, Hurts and other members of the Eagles have already put the team's Brown era in the past. 

Saquon Barkley: The show goes on after A.J. Brown is traded

"This is a business," Barkley continued. "It's the NFL. If I'm not here, Jalen [is] not here, whoever's not here, the show goes on. That's how the NFL operates. You don't really address it. It's not really anything to be addressed. You just go about your work and keep getting better. Whatever happens, that's above my pay grade. I'm just focused on being the best player that I can be and also be the best leader that I can be for this team going into next season."

Hurts has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the first half of 2026. How he plays under first-year Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion through January 2027 could determine if general manager Howie Roseman presses a figurative franchise reset button during the winter.