Overview
- The trade closed on June 1 when New England sent a 2028 first‑round pick and a 2027 fifth‑round pick to Philadelphia to acquire three‑time All‑Pro A.J. Brown.
- Brown passed his physical and took part in positional drills and a handful of 11‑on‑11 snaps in Foxborough, including a one‑handed catch from quarterback Drake Maye during his first session.
- Patriots coaches praised Brown’s football IQ and competitive temperament, saying he asks the ‘why’ behind assignments and should help install scheme detail faster for Maye and the offense.
- Reporting says Mike Vrabel long favored Brown and Patriots executive Eliot Wolf held firm in talks, while ESPN and others cite Brown’s frustration with Jalen Hurts’ usage in Philadelphia as a factor in his decision to leave.
- The timing of the deal after the June 1 accounting window eased Philadelphia’s 2026 cap hit by shifting much of Brown’s dead money into later years, and the Eagles plan to lean on DeVonta Smith and younger receivers while using the picks to retool.