The Los Angeles Rams cannot be satisfied with how last season ended. They were one game away from the Super Bowl but fell short against the Seattle Seahawks. It was a devastating loss in the NFC Championship Game, but the Rams have been motivated to strengthen their roster this offseason
The team executed one of the biggest trades of the offseason by acquiring All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. He will immediately be the top cornerback on the roster and should provide significant support to a secondary that struggled during the playoff run. Another trade the Rams explored was adding A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. However, concerns about his knee ultimately “scared off” the Rams from completing the deal.
Why the Los Angeles Rams Moved on From Potential A.J. Brown Trade
The Rams recognize they are in their Super Bowl window. They have a 38-year-old quarterback, Matthew Stafford, who is coming off the best season of his career and earned NFL MVP honors.
The organization must maximize its roster while Stafford continues to play at an elite level. That is why the Rams considered acquiring Brown, who remains one of the league’s premier receivers. His injury history, however, prevented the deal from materializing.
According to Pro Football Talk via Savage, “the Rams got scared off by some of the preliminary medical research, they decided too much of an investment for a player this age, general wear and tear, were not gonna do it.”
REPORT
per: @ProFootballTalk
The Rams got “scared off” from making an AJ Brown trade with the Eagles due to preliminary medical research on Brown’s knee.
Not worth the investment for the Rams.
— Savage (@Savageboston) March 18, 2026
It was also reported that the Rams planned to trade Davante Adams to clear room for Brown if they proceeded with the acquisition. Brown is younger than Adams, but both remain impactful when healthy.
According to PFSN, Brown recorded a WR Impact Score of 80.9 last season, ranking No. 21 in the NFL. Adams posted a 74.2, ranking 52nd. With the Rams now out on Brown, his injury history appears to be the decisive factor.
The Pro Bowl wide receiver has dealt with hamstring strains and knee issues throughout his seven-year career.
While Brown has not missed many games, the recurring soft-tissue injuries are concerning. He has missed three games over the past two seasons, not including the final game he sat out each year.
Soft-tissue injuries often become more problematic as players age, which likely influenced the Rams’ decision as Brown approaches 30. Brown is still expected to be traded, though the Eagles may wait until after June 1 to gain salary cap relief. Any team pursuing Brown must be confident his body can withstand the demands of the next several seasons.
