Overview
- ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, as relayed by Pro Football Rumors, says Philadelphia will approach the draft as if A.J. Brown will be moved, with a post–June 1 timeline viewed as the most practical path.
- Yahoo’s Nate Tice said three team sources told him a New England deal “feels pretty much done” for after June 1, though no trade has been announced.
- The money drives the schedule because a pre–June 1 trade would leave about $43.5 million in dead cap, while a later move would cut the 2026 hit to roughly $16.35 million and open about $7 million in space, per Spotrac figures cited in reports.
- Philadelphia has rebuilt its receiver group with Marquise Brown, Elijah Moore, and Dontayvion Wicks, and the team gave Wicks a one-year, $12.5 million extension to keep him under control through 2027.
- The Patriots are widely viewed as the front-runner and have room to take on Brown’s deal as they try to support quarterback Drake Maye on his rookie contract.