Adam Schefter shares major update on A.J. Brown, Patriots trade talk

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown will reportedly not be traded ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the three-time All-Pro wide receiver being traded is still on the table for June 1 or after, with the New England Patriots as the likely destination.

The Eagles would save $40 million in cap space if they wait until after June 1 to move Brown because it would split his accelerated cap between this year and next.

There have been rumblings throughout the offseason that Brown was bound for New England. All of the signs have been there, including Brown's close relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, the fact that he grew up a Patriots fan and the team's dire need for a true No. 1 wide receiver.

Schefter wrote:

"No matter what happens at this week's draft, an A.J. Brown trade to the Patriots is still on the table and still tracking to happen on or after June 1, per league sources. The two sides have discussed a deal, but neither has been willing to commit to it until after June 1, when Brown's $40 million salary cap charge would be split between this and next year.

All the elements remain in place to make it happen, and Brown to the Patriots is still the likely outcome ... just not during this week's draft, per sources."

So Brown to the Patriots still isn't a done deal.

All eyes will be on the draft to see if the fallout impacts the pending trade move. Another receiver-needy team could still get involved in the negotiations if they fail to land the players they want on the draft board. Perhaps a receiver the Patriots never expected falls to them and forces them to shake things up.