Eagles Trade Superstar AJ Brown

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Philadelphia Eagles have traded superstar wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, following an offseason of discontent and months of rumors.

The Birds will get back a 2028 first round pick and a 2027 fifth round pick, Schefter said Monday on X. The fifth round pick will be the higher of the two picks the Pats own in that round.

News of the trade was confirmed in a social media post from the NFL.

Brown leaves behind a dominant but slightly tarnished legacy in Philadelphia, where he largely continued his rein as one of the best wide outs in football. He owns the two highest seasons of receiving yards in Eagles franchise history with his 2022 and 2023 performances. Over four years in Philly, he was named to three All Pro squads and helped lead the team to two Super Bowls and one championship.

The Birds do not get an immediate improvement from the trade, but they've already overhauled their receiving corps. They're banking on DeVonta Smith to replace Brown as Jalen Hurts's top choice. He'll be flanked by 2026 first round draft pick Makai Lemon and new trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks. Marquise "Hollywood" Brown will provide veteran depth.

Numerous sidelines and on-field incidents over the past two years involving Hurts, Nick Sirianni, Brown, and other Eagles led to wide speculation last year that Brown might be moved. Hurts targeted Brown less frequently in 2025, and the Birds offensive approach, helmed by now-fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, was widely panned.

Brown was not afraid to voice his displeasure, and a typically drama-free Eagles clubhouse took a nosedive as the season wore on. All may have been forgotten if the Birds had gone on a another deep playoff run, but they were eliminated in the opening round by the San Francisco 49ers.

Still, with two NFC titles gathered during Brown's tenure, it can hardly be called anything other than a resounding success. Brown has a lengthy highlight reel from his time with the Birds, highlighted by numerous key plays during both Super Bowls. Brown's Super Bowl record includes 9 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns.