Why Eagles are willing to wait to complete expected A.J. Brown trade to Patriots

It's been said that the Philadelphia Eagles don't feel that they must spend a high-value draft pick on a pass-catcher to feel comfortable trading A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots via a deal that won't become official until after June 1 because of the Eagles' salary-cap situation.

On Monday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reiterated that "Brown to the Patriots is still the likely outcome...just not during this week's draft, per sources." Schefter also explained why the Eagles are just fine with not acquiring a draft asset for Brown before the upcoming player-selection process gets underway on Thursday night. 

Eagles want this over 2026 draft picks for A.J. Brown

According to Schefter, the Eagles are "not concerned about adding draft capital for this week's draft" via a Brown trade. 

"Acquiring additional picks in 2027 and 2028 is even more enticing to them," Schefter said about the Eagles. "Picks in future years were the compensation that was discussed when the Eagles and Rams had extensive trade conversations regarding Brown, which did not materialize into a deal."

Will a different team steal A.J. Brown from Patriots?

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has reportedly wanted a first-round draft pick and a second-round choice in return for Brown, who signed a three-year contract extension in the spring of 2024. Brown had New England's Mike Vrabel as a head coach when they were with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through the 2021 season, and the Patriots are allegedly looking to give quarterback Drake Maye a top-tier playmaker before training camp practices begin later this summer. 

"The Patriots remain at the forefront of trade talks for Brown," Schefter added, "but another team could always emerge, and there's a lot of time between now and June 1. But as of now, multiple sources say they believe Brown and the Patriots are likely to become a tandem."

That makes it seem as if the Eagles want it known that they will send Brown elsewhere if some club outbids the Patriots for his services. That said, it sounds as of the morning of April 20 that Brown will be playing home games at New England's Gillette Stadium this coming September.