ESPN Analyst Calls A.J. Brown Trade 'Necessary' For Eagles Amid Patriots Rumors originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Adam Schefter began the week by reporting that the New England Patriots will "likely" acquire A.J. Brown. An ESPN colleague explained why it's time for the Philadelphia Eagles to trade the star wide receiver.
Schefter said Monday that the Patriots remain "highly interested" in Brown. While a deal isn't expected before the draft, the insider expects talks to intensify after June 1 so the Eagles can mitigate their dead cap hit this year.
Discussing Schefter's big scoop on Monday's "First Take," Dan Orlovsky predicted that a Brown trade is nearly inevitable.
"This is going to happen," Orlovsky declared. "This isn't out there and all of a sudden going to not happen. So I firmly believe this is going to be something that's basically done. They're just waiting for the legal element to happen."
Brown has won a Super Bowl and earned three second-team All-Pro distinctions during his four years with the Eagles. Yet he settled for a career-low 12.9 yards per catch last season in an offense that underperformed down the stretch.
"The relationship in Philly has run its course," Orlovsky claimed. "Whether it's a professional relationship or personal relationship."
Furthermore, Orlovsky doesn't think Brown is a strong stylistic fit for new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
"I fully expect them to go way more into using multiple tight ends rather than the multiple receivers," Orlovsky said.
Brown would be a huge loss for the Eagles, but Orlovsky still thinks they'd both benefit from a split.
"A.J. is still a dominant player. When A.J.'s at his best, he's a top-five receiver in the NFL," Orlovsky said. "So I don't want to minimize the hole that it's going to create, but trading him just feels like the necessary thing ... I just think now it's the realization that both parties see it's the best thing for both sides."
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