Patriots Defend Trading for 28-Year-Old A.J. Brown Despite Degenerative Knee Condition
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 3
Patriots Defend Trading for 28-Year-Old A.J. Brown Despite Degenerative Knee Condition
3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 3
Summary
Eliot Wolf said New England knew A.J. Brown has a degenerative knee condition before completing the trade, but the Patriots' medical and training staffs cleared the move.
Brown, 28, tried to calm concerns Tuesday, saying there is "nothing to worry about" after Wolf described the issue as wear and tear the team had already examined.
Philadelphia dealt the three-time Pro Bowler to New England on Monday for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, a price paid despite durability questions.
Those concerns had surfaced elsewhere too: the Rams were reportedly interested in Brown but wary of his knee, even though he missed only one regular-season game with a knee designation in Philadelphia.
Brown still produced in 2025, posting 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games, underscoring why the Patriots were willing to absorb the medical risk.