Eagles, Patriots Remain Far Apart on A.J. Brown Trade as $43 Million Cap Hit Looms
Updated
Updated · The Boston Globe · Jun 1
Eagles, Patriots Remain Far Apart on A.J. Brown Trade as $43 Million Cap Hit Looms
9 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · Jun 1
NFL Network said Philadelphia and New England are “not particularly close” on an A.J. Brown deal, despite the June 2 cap date that makes a trade easier for the Eagles.
Trading Brown after June 1 would let Philadelphia spread $43 million in dead money over two years—$16 million in 2026 and $27 million in 2027—instead of absorbing it all this year.
The gap appears tied to leverage: the Patriots are reportedly the only serious bidder, while the Eagles may be seeking a first-round pick for a 29-year-old receiver owed $50 million over the next two seasons.
Philadelphia also is not under immediate pressure, because Brown’s $27.45 million option bonus is not due until the day before the regular-season opener, giving the team until Sept. 12 to complete a trade.
That timeline could drag talks well past next week, even though New England would likely prefer to land Brown before training camp.
With his massive contract and past friction, is star receiver A.J. Brown becoming more trouble than he's worth?
Is jettisoning a star receiver the real key to unlocking Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia’s offense?