NFC Super Bowl contender could re-enter sweepstakes for Eagles' A.J. Brown

It continues to seem likely that the Philadelphia Eagles will trade wantaway wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots at some point after June 1 arrives. 

That said, a story from last week suggested that the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers or the Jacksonville Jaguars could attempt to steal Brown from the Patriots over the next couple of weeks. 

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead confirmed back in March that he "chatted with Philly" about a potential trade for Brown. During a recent appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo teased that the Rams haven't completely given up on possibly acquiring Brown. 

Will Puka Nacua questions lead to Rams exploring a trade for A.J. Brown?

"I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rams re-emerged," Garafolo said about a potential landing spot for Brown, per Johnny McGonigal of PennLive. "Look, we don’t know what’s happening with Puka Nacua, with this offseason that he’s had, you hope for the best for him. But that certainly, I think, might be a factor at play here, because you don’t know...can you rely on him? I would not be surprised if the Rams at some point re-engage and check in (on Brown)."

Nacua checked himself into a rehab facility earlier this spring to reportedly focus on his "personal growth." That said, the Rams allegedly "tapped out of the talks" with Philadelphia about Brown back in March due to what Eagles general manager Howie Roseman wanted in return for the 28-year-old. 

Eagles, A.J. Brown trade saga "likely" ends this way?

Brown is seemingly hyped to once again play for Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and to have New England's Drake Maye as his quarterback. Vrabel was Brown's head coach with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through the 2021 season. 

According to Aaliyan Mohammed of NESN, Garafolo acknowledged that the Patriots are still "likely" to land Brown.

"This plays out with him on another team, likely the Patriots," Garafolo added about the Brown saga. "I don't know that I can completely rule out (others)."

Perhaps the Eagles are simply using the delay to leak information in an attempt to get more from the Patriots for Brown's services. Philadelphia can't make a Brown trade official before June 1 because of the club's salary-cap issues.