Finally, it is the week of the 2026 NFL Draft. While most of the focus is on the event, some league-changing news has hit the NFL world.
For the entire offseason (and really last season as well), the growing conflict between A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles has been a major storyline. It seemed the two sides were headed for a split at some point this offseason, but then nothing happened.
Well, now it looks like the Eagles are ready to move on from their star WR, and the potential trade partner is one of the best teams in the NFL: the New England Patriots.
Patriots ‘Likely’ To Trade for WR A.J. Brown After June 1
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Brown is “likely” to be traded to the Patriots after June 1.
“The Eagles remain open to trading AJ Brown, the Patriots remain highly interested in acquiring the star receiver, and conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1, likely culminating in a deal, per league sources,” Schefter wrote. “As one source said about the Patriots’ pursuit of Brown, they’ll “definitely be engaging then.” A trade to New England is now considered likely.”
The Eagles’ offense last season was significantly worse than the unit that won the Super Bowl the previous year. These offensive woes heavily affected the production of many top players on the roster, including Brown. Per PFSN’s WR Impact metric, Brown dropped from the No. 3 WR overall in 2024 to No. 21 overall in 2025. This was unacceptable for the star WR, and he made it known throughout the season.
Schefter’s news kicks off draft week with a bang, and there was no shortage of reactions from NFL observers.
“There it is,” ESPN analyst and former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky tweeted before adding: “The trades done IMO. Just waiting on legal timeframe.”
There it is. https://t.co/C61Hwq735O
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) April 20, 2026
Green Bay Packers writer Mark Oldacres spoke on what Eagles fans were saying about the Brown trade rumors prior to Schefter’s latest report.
“The part of the [Dianna] Russini thing where Eagles fans were implying she made up the A.J. Brown to the Patriots stuff because of her relationship with [Mike] Vrabel was where we officially jumped the shark,” Oldacres wrote. “This has been a terribly kept secret.”
The part of the Russini thing where Eagles fans were implying she made up the AJ Brown to the Patriots stuff because of her relationship with Vrabel was where we officially jumped the shark.
This has been a terribly kept secret. https://t.co/kUrAHCWmgC
— Mark Oldacres (@MarkOldacres) April 20, 2026
One YouTuber was pumped about the fireworks to kick off draft week: “Draft week off to an electric start.”
Eagles analyst Spike Eskin joked about how Schefter was faking the news.
“just another rage baiter hunting for clicks am I right!!” he wrote.
just another rage baiter hunting for clicks am I right!! https://t.co/LZC8BlQJwW
— Spike Eskin (@SpikeEskin) April 20, 2026
Eagles reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks summed up his feelings with one word: “Wow”.
It is important to note that this trade is not official; it would still need to be agreed upon and finalized post-June 1. However, it does seem like things are gearing up for the deal to happen after June 1.
If this goes down, DeVonta Smith will take over as Philadelphia’s WR1, and the Eagles recently acquired Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore to bolster their receiver room. They could also look to select a WR at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In addition to the Brown trade news, Schefter also noted that the Eagles may not be done trying to wheel and deal. He mentioned Minnesota Vikings EDGE/OLB Jonathan Greenard as a potential target for Howie Roseman and Co.
For the Patriots, this is the move that needed to be made. Their Super Bowl loss exposed that WR was a major issue, and although New England did sign Romeo Doubs, the WR1 spot was still wide open. If this trade is made official, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will finally reunite with Brown for the first time since the two were with the Tennessee Titans.
