Eagles DB shares brutally honest truth about A.J. Brown trade talk

A.J. Brown is still officially a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, but in many ways, it feels like his time with the team is coming to an end.

Eagles First-Team All-Pro cornerback Cooper DeJean was asked about the holding pattern with Brown during a recent appearance on Takeoff. DeJean admitted the NFL is a business with each player doing what's best for them in their personal situation.

“We talk pretty often still. Obviously, he’s a great teammate, a great friend of mine. Nothing will change the way I think about A.J.," DeJean told NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark. "Obviously, it’s a business, and everybody has to do what’s best for them. I know whatever happens, he'll always be a close friend of mine. ...I’m going to miss just seeing him in the building, if he's gone. Just seeing him out on the practice field and talking trash, those are some fun times. And just learning from him, too. He instilled confidence in me. That is something I will always appreciate.”

The Eagles are expected to trade Brown on or after June 1, when they would avoid a dead cap hit north of $40 million. As of right now, the New England Patriots are viewed as the likeliest destination for the three-time All-Pro wide receiver.

Things could obviously change if another team gets in on the negotiations, but everything has pointed in the Patriots' direction throughout the offseason. Both teams even drafted like a deal was already done behind the scenes, even though it reportedly isn't.