The New England Patriots acquired All-Pro wide receiver AJ Brown in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The reigning AFC champions sent a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Eagles for Brown, who reunites with head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel coached Brown for three seasons during his spell with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 to 2021 before being traded to the Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft.
Brown made the inevitable Eagles exit
A second-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, Brown helped the Eagles reach two Super Bowls in his four seasons in Philadelphia. Philadelphia lost a thriller to the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of Brown’s first season with the Eagles. However, a rematch two years later resulted in a victory as the Eagles captured their second Super Bowl title.
Brown recorded four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Eagles, amassing 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns.
However, the 2025 season was in part defined by an apparent rift between Brown and head coach Nick Sirianni as Philadelphia’s offense struggled consistently.
Those arguments came to a head when the Eagles lost in the Wild Card Round of the NFC playoffs, their offense overwhelmed by the San Francisco 49ers’ defense in a 23-19 loss.
Brown’s departure has since been seen as inevitable, and the Eagles prepared well for his exit, drafting Makai Lemon in the first round and trading with the Green Bay Packers for Dontayvion Wicks. The Eagles also signed former Chiefs receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown in free agency, though DeVonta Smith is now the clear-cut starter in Philadelphia.
The Patriots gave Maye a big boost
New England quarterback Drake Maye is the clear winner of this trade from the Patriots’ point of view, as he gains a quality weapon to help him build on a second MVP season.
Maye led the NFL in completion percentage (72%) last season as the Patriots posted a 14-3 record in Vrabel’s first year as head coach. The 2024 third-round pick threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns in just eight regular-season interceptions. New England advanced to Super Bowl 60, but saw their offense stymied by the Seattle Seahawks’ defense in a 29-13 loss.
Brown is the type of receiver the Patriots hope will give Maye more answers against a defense like Seattle’s. The 28-year-old is a striker who can win downfield but doesn’t always need to be separated from the full-back, his skills in the tackle making him a very reliable weapon.
The Patriots let go of wide receiver Stefon Diggs in March after just one season, but with Brown’s addition following the free-agent signing of Romeo Doubs, New England’s passing game is in great shape. Kayshon Boutte is the third tight end who will hope to build off of a six-touchdown season that saw him provide significant playing time, while DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams are two young talents who have provided value, though their touches may now be limited with Brown’s arrival.
Brown will make his Patriots debut when the Patriots face the Seahawks in the 2026 Super Bowl season opener in Seattle on September 9.
