One of the moves that has loomed over free agency this year has been an A.J. Brown trade. The Philadelphia Eagles have made some signings, but with cap space to use and coming off a disappointing season, expectations were higher for a team trying to get back to the Super Bowl.
Many have believed this was because of a potential Brown trade, given the move’s massive dead cap hit, but nothing has happened yet. With Brown still on the roster, rumors have been swirling about the star wide receiver reuniting with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel.
Julian Edelman Posts Cryptic GIF Hinting at A.J. Brown Trade to Patriots
The team that has been heavily linked to Brown is the New England Patriots, and it’s clear why. Their head coach, Vrabel, coached Brown when he was with the Tennessee Titans. During their time together, Brown was an excellent wide receiver, and his trade to the Eagles marked the beginning of Vrabel’s downfall there.
Even after signing Romeo Doubs in free agency, the Patriots still have a wide receiver need, and Brown would fit perfectly. Last season, he was ranked 21st in PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, and that was in a struggling offense. That offense was one of the reasons why Brown was upset last season, and with the Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye, he could thrive.
The price for Brown will be high, but there has been a feeling all season, especially with the constant rumors, that Brown will end up in New England. Today, those rumors ran rampant on social media, and former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman posted a GIF that sent the NFL world into a frenzy.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) March 19, 2026
The GIF that Edelman chose was from one of his podcast episodes when Brown was a guest. During the episode, and in the GIF, Edelman said, “Just remember, we’re all Patriots. You know that, right?” In response to what Edelman said, Brown smiled and winked.
This episode was back in February, so this is not Brown talking about it today or in response to recent events. But a player like Edelman, who probably has many connections in the Patriots’ building, posting this is noteworthy.
The former Patriots wide receiver may just be having fun in response to current rumors swirling around the potential Brown trade, but he also may know something that the NFL world is not privy to yet.
