Adam Schefter names 'lead contender' to land Eagles' A.J. Brown amid Patriots, trade rumors

For months, numerous team and national reporters suggested that it was a matter of when and not if the New England Patriots would acquire Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown via a trade that can't become official before June 1 due to the Eagles' salary-cap situation. 

However, stories emerged in May linking Brown with a handful of other teams. During the latest edition of his podcast, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter offered an update on the Brown saga that is probably nearing a conclusion. 

Are Patriots still the favorites to win the A.J. Brown sweepstakes? 

"I will remain in the camp that we’ve been in for the last 6-7 weeks," Schefter explained, per Aaliyan Mohammed of NESN. "Which is that I still think [Brown] is getting traded. I still think he’s getting traded on or shortly after June 1. I still think the New England Patriots are going away the lead contender to land A.J. Brown this offseason."

The Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Rams are among the teams that have been mentioned as potential landing spots for Brown since the 2026 NFL Draft wrapped up. The Chiefs allegedly could instead sign free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs, while the Rams "tapped out" of trade talks regarding Brown earlier this offseason. 

Multiple reports have said that Brown wants to again play for New England's Mike Vrabel, who was the wideout's head coach when the two were with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through the 2021 season. Schefter seems confident Brown and Vrabel will soon be reunited in New England. 

"These other teams have had their opportunities throughout the offseason…I still think when all is said and done that the Patriots will wind up agreeing to a deal that will land A.J. Brown in New England," Schefter added. 

Do Patriots and Eagles have a "secret" A.J. Brown deal worked out?

According to NESN's Tyler Maher, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport insisted during a recent appearance on the "Between the Tackles" podcast that the Eagles and Patriots don't "have a secret deal they’re going to unveil on June 1" regarding a Brown trade. That said, Rapoport added that he'd "be surprised" if Brown isn't a New England player by the time training camp gets underway later this summer. 

"I do not believe that they're there yet," Rapoport continued, "and I don't think either side has spoken about it in some time with each other."