Will Rams push Patriots to trade for Eagles WR A.J. Brown before June 1?

As recently as Friday, it was suggested that the New England Patriots remained the only team in real contention to acquire mercurial wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles at some point during the offseason. 

It appears the Patriots may have some competition now that free agency has officially begun.

Could A.J. Brown be headed to the NFC West?

On Friday afternoon, Dianna Russini and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Rams and Patriots "in recent weeks discussed trading for Brown." 

"Los Angeles continues to monitor the status of the three-time Pro Bowler with interest," Russini and Rodrigue explained. 

It was previously reported that the Eagles were "inclined to only deal with AFC teams" regarding a potential trade involving Brown. However, Russini and Rodrigue noted that "a league source believed the Eagles were trying to get multiple teams competing for Brown before free agency began, but with an incredibly high asking price." 

Friday's developments suggest that would-be AFC buyers aren't all that keen on matching the asking price that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has allegedly placed on Brown. Roseman reportedly wants at least a first-round draft pick and a second-round selection in return for the 28-year-old who is under contract via the three-year, $96M extension with $84M in guaranteed money that he signed in the spring of 2024.

It still feels like no A.J. Brown trade is imminent

Earlier on Friday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US repeated that league executives expect that Roseman won't trade Brown before June 1 for reasons related to the salary cap. That said, Russini and Rodrigue mentioned that "Roseman is juggling several salary-cap-related decisions...and clarity on Brown’s future could help shape several other roster decisions for the Eagles." 

For what it's worth, La Canfora wrote that "many executives remain unconvinced [Brown] will end up dealt." 

Russini and Rodrigue also shared that Roseman "won’t part with a great player for nothing." In short, it sounds like the Eagles could want the Patriots and Rams to get into a bidding war that would result in Roseman receiving what he wants for Brown before the 2026 draft gets underway on the night of April 23. 

As of Friday afternoon, there was no indication that either the Rams or Patriots would match Roseman's asking price.