Why Dallas Goedert deal may not impact when Eagles trade A.J. Brown

Multiple NFL reporters and analysts previously pointed out that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman would probably not trade wide receiver A.J. Brown before June 1 for reasons related to the salary cap.

However, that was before the Eagles worked out a one-year deal with tight end Dallas Goedert that could make it easier for Philadelphia to acquire 2026 draft picks for Brown before the night of April 23. That said, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared on Monday why he believes the Brown storyline could continue to hover over the Eagles through and beyond the end of May.

Have Eagles always been thinking about 2027 draft for A.J. Brown trade? 

"My sense is the Eagles were never married to the idea of acquiring 2026 picks in a trade package for Brown," Breer explained. "Always thinking ahead, I’d guess Roseman would be amenable to taking an offer that included 2027 and ’28 picks, which opens the door to wait past this year’s draft, and beyond June 1, when the cap damage of trading Brown would be spread over two years, rather than one."

Roseman allegedly wants at least a first-round draft pick and a second-round selection for Brown. In April 2024, Brown signed a three-year, $96M extension with $84M in guaranteed money, so Roseman has some power regarding the 28-year-old's short-term future. 

Stories continue to link Brown with the New England Patriots. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was Brown's head coach when they were with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through the 2021 season, and New England needs a dynamic weapon for its passing attack. 

"I’d guess the Patriots will be part of the picture, if and when the trade talks intensify again," Breer added about Brown's situation. "The draft will likely determine who else is in it with them. But this certainly doesn’t feel like it’s over."

Albert Breer reacts to the latest Howie Roseman comments on A.J. Brown

Roseman recently said that "Brown is a member of the Eagles" today. As Breer noted, Roseman also "didn’t say [Brown] would be a member of the team in September." 

It sounds like Breer remains convinced that Roseman will look to complete a Brown-related trade at some point before training-camp practices get underway in July.