The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and one of the craziest moments from night one was the Philadelphia Eagles’ interrupting the Pittsburgh Steelers’ call with receiver Makai Lemon to draft him right before the Steelers.
Lemon adds another dimension to Philly’s offense, but it also means star receiver A.J. Brown could legitimately be on the move. ESPN’s Adam Schefter joined the Pat McAfee Show on Monday and all but confirmed that narrative.
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The Brown to New England train gained hype this offseason, and even after the drama with former The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, it looks as if Brown is likely to be a Patriot by the time the 2026 season begins.
Schefter said on Monday morning’s “The Pat McAfee Show” that the Eagles are willing to trade Brown, and he expects it to happen on June 1.
“The Patriots want A.J. Brown and the Eagles are willing to move on from A.J. Brown,” Schefter said. “I expect that this trade will come together on June 1…it’s not gonna be hard to get it done…I believe in the end it will involve a future 1st round draft pick, my guess is a 1 in 2028.”
With that in mind, former NFL great Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson responded to that news, making sure everyone knew he called this move a while ago.
“I said he was going to the Patriots in January on Nightcap Show & I was called every name in the book except a child of God,” Johnson wrote on social media.
The tension between Brown and the Eagles has been going on for quite some time, and there have been rumors that the two would move on from each other.
However, Philadelphia had been looking for a rather steep price, likely because of the production Brown provides on the field, even if the two sides disagree on stuff.
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But the Eagles’ moving up in the first round to draft a receiver should tell you all you need to know about where the organization is with Brown.
Lemon could have been the WR3 in Philly, alongside Brown and Devonte Smith, to make quite the combination. But it looks like the pick was to replace Brown in the receiver room rather than to add depth and talent alongside him.
If the Eagles do indeed trade Brown, their receiver room would consist of Smith, Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, and Johnny Wilson, among others, further down.
On the Patriots’ side, after letting Stefon Diggs go this offseason, New England could use that No. 1 guy.
The Patriots currently have Romeo Doubs (free agent signing), Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins as their top three, with DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III as depth options.
All of those guys are great role players, but none are the bona fide star quarterback Drake Maye needs to lead the offense. Brown would provide that.
