Eagles
Last week the Eagles traded with the Green Bay Packers for receiver Dontayvion Wicks. This led to a lot of speculation about the future of one AJ Brown. Most saw the move as proof the Eagles were going to trade the star receiver. However, AJ Brown is very unlikely to be moved any time before June 1st due to cap implications. My thought is, what if they did not trade AJ Brown?
Let’s take a look at the receiver room currently for the Eagles. There’s the aforementioned AJ Brown and of course Devonta Smith along with new comers Dontayvion Wick and Hollywood Brown. On paper this might be the greatest receiver room ever assembled. Three of the four players mentioned all have WR-1 experience. The fourth, Wicks, is still on his rookie deal but was a first down machine in his time with the Packers.
The Eagles could easily trot out one of the best receiving cores every game, if things stay the same. Assuming the offensive coordinator can dial up more exotic routes than the last year. Of course that lends itself to stories that Jalen Hurts can’t win without a stacked supporting cast but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Howie Roseman has been on the record saying that AJ Brown is an Eagle and that’s how they’re operating. Could part of this be Howie making sure the trade value stays high? Absolutely. Do I think they’ll hold onto him if the trade return is too low? Absolutely. Is the door finally closed on trade rumors? Absolutely not.
Howie Roseman after being repeatedly asked about AJ Brown: “What do you think the odds are I’m gonna answer this question any different than I have? Like really.. AJ Brown is an Eagle.”
Asked about it again: “AJ Brown is an Eagle.” pic.twitter.com/pGMv7biJbS
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) April 14, 2026
There’s also a little event you may be familiar with called the NFL Draft this week where anything could happen. The Eagles first acquired AJ Brown on draft day. Wouldn’t it be poetic if his tenure also ended on draft day? Yes, but that feels more like a plot point that would happen in the movie Draft Day instead of real life. Like I said, the cap implications muddy that possibility too much.
Sure they could go out and draft a player. Who knows what a mystery player could be, maybe even an AJ Brown. Give me the known commodity over the unknown every time. Also a new player would need time to adjust to the league and grow into an AJ Brown replacement. With the team as good as it is, I’m not sure having a rebuilding year is the right course.
There’s also the fact that at the end of the day, AJ Brown makes the team better. Love him or hate him, he’s still one of the top receivers in the league so keeping him is better than losing him. Sure he may display some whacky sideline behavior and act disgruntled. In the end, if he ends up not playing well it could impact future contract amounts, which ultimately would hurt him more than any team that wants him.
Honestly I’m operating based on the assumption that AJ Brown is on the team. If you’re wondering why, it’s because he’s still on the team. A lot can change in the month and a half before the supposed June 1st trade target. We’re likely not going to hear the end of it unless he does get traded. I guess the good news is that it gives everyone a free conversation starter. Until then and as always, Go Birds!
Source: Kara Durrette
Hello, I’m a greater Philadelphia native writing mostly about the Eagles and the rest of the NFL. Articles aren’t … More about Kyle Lavin
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