AJ Brown Eagles Trade Analysis

AJ Brown is no longer in Philadelphia.

The Blockbuster Deal: What the Eagles Got for AJ Brown

The much-rumored trade to New England happened on Monday, sending Brown to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for Brown.

Did the Eagles get enough compensation? Is the team better today than they were yesterday? Both questions will remain unanswered until the team actually gets back out on the field this September.

The one thing the Eagles do have now is around $30 million in salary relief to be able to acquire other players to help replace Brown.

The $30 Million Cap Space Question

"It freed up over $30 million dollars," explained ESPN's Adam Schefter on UnsportsmanLike on 97.3 ESPN. They have already begun to spend by trading for Jonathan Greenard. Not only that, they have to play their own players, Jalen Carter, Cooper DeJean, and Quinyon Mitchell eventually."

Replacing the Production: From DeVonta Smith to the New Additions

The team began doing that during free agency with Hollywood Brown, in a trade with Green Bay for Dontayvion Wicks, and in the draft, trading up to pick No. 20 to select Makhi Lemon.

Holdover DeVonta Smith becomes the No. 1 wide receiver, with someone from the group mentioned above becoming the No. 2.

So is that group better? We shall see.

Brown spent the past four seasons in Philadelphia and recorded at least 1,000 Rec yds and seven touchdowns in each of those seasons, accounting for 33% of Philly’s receiving yards over the last four seasons.

Brown leaves Philadelphia as the franchise leader in:

Most seasons with 1,000 Rec yds (4)
Single-season Rec yds (1,496 in 2022)
Single-season Rec by WR (106 in 2023)

Will the Eagles look to make a bigger move now after trading Brown? Many fans are wondering if they will use the extra draft pick to improve the 2026 roster, but Schefter doesn't see it.

"There are a lot of players they have to pay," Schefter explained. You can't just all of a sudden start making moves for a player that's really expensive."

Is Another Superstar Trade on the Horizon?

One name that has been brought up after hearing the Eagles called Cleveland about Myles Garrett, who has since been traded to the Rams, is Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

"I don't think Maxx Crosby is getting traded. I don't," Schefter said. I didn't think Myles Garrett was getting traded, and he did. I defied the statements from smarter people than me and paid the price for it."

The Eagles and Patriots play on August 22 in a preseason game in Foxborough and will hold a joint practice that week, leading up to the game.