New England Patriots
“I just don’t know it’s snap your fingers, and the deal is done.”
A.J. Brown continues to be linked to the Patriots. AP Photo/Terrance Williams
May 28, 2026 | 8:16 AM
3 minutes to read
For most of the last month, the writing has seemingly been on the wall that A.J. Brown is heading to the Patriots.
Several reports — including from longtime ESPN reporter Adam Schefter — have noted that the All-Pro wideout is expected to head to New England as part of a blockbuster deal, with a potential handshake deal expected to be finalized at some point after June 1.
But on Wednesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport pumped the brakes on a potential trade between the Patriots and Eagles already being a done deal.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts knows he’s probably worked with AJ Brown for the last time. But when it’ll happen is a different story. pic.twitter.com/qQWhPZkp8G
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 27, 2026
“As far as the actual trade, though, we’re all waiting for June 1st to happen so the cap hit is in half for the Philadelphia Eagles, and they can trade him,” Rapoport said on NFL Network on Wednesday. “I just don’t know it’s snap your fingers and the deal is done, because the two sides are where they had been, which is the Eagles wanting a first-round pick in 2027.
“The Patriots, the most likely destination — we’ll see if someone else arises — but the Patriots, the most likely destination, [are] not willing to give up a first-round pick as of right now. That means they’re not particularly close and that means there’s a chance this could drag on for the foreseeable future.”
This is not the first time Rapoport has urged caution about reports that Brown’s arrival in Foxborough would be a certainty after June 1.
During an appearance on the “Between The Tackles” podcast last week, Rapoport said that there was still plenty of work to be done when it comes to New England completing a deal for the 28-year-old wideout.
“Would I be surprised if it didn’t happen? I think I would be surprised if it didn’t happen,” Rapoport said. “But, I don’t think either side is there yet and I don’t think either side has spoken about it in some time with each other.”
June 1 remains a key date in terms of any potential trade, as Brown’s salary cap charge will be spread out between 2026 and 2027 after that date.
If Philly dealt Brown before June 1, they’d be on the hook for a $43.3 million dead cap hit. If they trade him after June, that dead cap hit drops down to $16.3 million — a more palatable result for an Eagles team still trying to win another Super Bowl over the next few years.
Of course, the Eagles and GM Howie Roseman aren’t going to deal away Brown for pennies on the dollar, either.
“To me, this is not the Patriots and Eagles have a secret deal that they’re going to unveil on June 1st.” Rapoport said last week .”It’s not like that, and I don’t even know that one is going to get done June 1st because basically, it is to my understanding, the Eagles want a 2027 first-round pick.”
Even if Roseman and the Eagles are seeking a 2027 first-round pick, Schefter noted last month on “The Pat McAfee Show” that New England might be able to get the deal done by parting with other valuable draft capital.
“I expect that this trade will come together on June 1st,” Schefter said. “Neither side is committed to it, but both, I believe, are expected to make it happen to where AJ Brown will wind up being traded to New England in June. It’s not going to be hard to get done.
“The Eagles are open to moving him, the Patriots want him, and I believe in the end it will involve a future first-round draft pick. My guess is 2028 — one in 2028. But, let’s see what the two sides finally figure out in the end.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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