The A.J. Brown trade saga is heating up, and it's looking more and more like the star wide receiver will be swapping midnight green for Patriot blue. After reports surfaced that the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots are expected to finalize a deal after June 1, many fans have already started picturing Brown in a New England uniform.
But don't clear your calendars just yet. While the two sides appear to be closing in on an agreement, nothing is set in stone. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently shed some light on the situation, describing the current vibe between the Eagles and Brown as "cordial, maybe a little awkward" since everyone knows where this is headed.
Here's the breakdown: The Eagles can save significant cap space by moving Brown after June 1, and the receiver himself seems ready for a fresh start. He's been absent from offseason workouts, though he has stopped by the facility to check in. All signs point to a mutual parting of ways that benefits everyone involved.
But here's where it gets interesting. The Patriots aren't locked into anything yet. They passed on drafting a wide receiver, which suggests they have their eyes on Brown, but there's still plenty to sort out. Brown is due roughly $29 million this year, and the two teams need to hash out who's picking up that tab. Then there's the compensation—the Eagles are reportedly looking for first-round picks, which is a steep price even for a talent like Brown.
So while the odds heavily favor Brown heading to New England, remember: in the NFL, nothing is official until the ink is dry. Another team could always swoop in and change the game. For now, Eagles fans should prepare to say goodbye to one of the league's most dynamic receivers, and Patriots fans might want to start dreaming about what Brown could do for their offense.
