Patriots Rumor A.J. Brown trade rumors heat up - Should Patriots get him?

[imahobgoblin]

I am not opposed to trading for him, but I am not giving up our #31.

Alec Pierce 25 year old and has been the best big-play wide receiver in the NFL on a per catch basis over the last two years. He led the NFL in yards per reception in 2024 (22.3) and again this past season (21.3). That just sounds like the right recipe for Drake and his deep ball. It just begs to put the two together to see what happens. If we sign Pierce, we don't give up draft picks either.

 

[PatsfanTN]

Thanks for sharing..Never heard an ounce of negativity about AJ until he went to Philly...

Yeah, it was a while ago and my memory sucks, but I do remember some malcontent. Contract related more likely, although he never had a true QB there either. I think it was money related though, but there was some angst.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I am not opposed to trading for him, but I am not giving up our #31.

Alec Pierce 25 year old and has been the best big-play wide receiver in the NFL on a per catch basis over the last two years. He led the NFL in yards per reception in 2024 (22.3) and again this past season (21.3). That just sounds like the right recipe for Drake and his deep ball. It just begs to put the two together to see what happens. If we sign Pierce, we don't give up draft picks either.

How much will Pierce command as a free agent? He'll probably ask at least 25m per season if the Colts don't let him walk. And why would the Colts let him go?

 

[imahobgoblin]

How much will Pierce command as a free agent? He'll probably ask at least 25m per season if the Colts don't let him walk. And why would the Colts let him go?

They have Michael Pittman Jr. signed for $29,000,000, No QB, and $34,952,488 in cap space. I think they will prioritize Daniel Jones as long as his achilles is hitting its goals. The cannot afford to keep Pierce. $20-$25 million is about right for him. AJ Brown comes in at $23,393,497, but there are three issues. First is draft capital. He will not be cheap. Second is age. He will be 29 in June. When does the drop off begin? Has it already? I dunno. Third, Philly would take a dead cap of $43,515,106. That is massive. Why would they do that? It would be smarter to weather the storm and see if Sean Mannion can make him happy this year. If not, dump him next year.

 

[Ring 6]

It's the offseason so all kinds of rumors are flying around. The past few days there has been speculation that AJ Brown could be traded. And guess what our Patriots could be his final destination.

Article: A.J. Brown trade rumors: Steelers, Patriots among 5 best fits, likely landing spots for Eagles WR | Sporting News

There's no doubt a bona fide #1 might take this offense to the next level. Obviously OL is still the biggest need but we also didn't do much with our pass catchers when facing elite defenses. Diggs was very quiet in the playoffs. But so was Maye. Perhaps AJ Brown can be the difference maker.

How much would he cost. Our 1st round pick or would it be a 2nd plus extras?

Finally Brown might need a new contract if he comes over. The way it is structured now is very weird. He only counts for 1m in salary but his option bonuses are 17m, 21m, and 26m respectively going forward. What in the world does this mean cap-wise?

That doesn’t say the Eagles are considering trading him. It says the could, meaning it’s speculation not a source aware if inside info.
The Eagles eat millions to not have him. Everything coming it if Philly has said they won’t trade him.

 

[Ring 6]

Anything coming from Schefter has real merit.. I remember when he broke the mayo news game day morning.. it makes so much sense.. to get AJ..Hurts has regressed and there's seemingly some dysfunction within the offense/coaching, ect.. he's clearly frustrated... for anyone questioning AJs production still put up over 1,000 in a "down " season...

Schefter comments were from last off season

 

[Ring 6]

Hmm sounds like Schefter believes in AJ Brown trade coming soon?



Rumor speculation video:



If the trade price for Brown is a 2nd rounder or less. Does this start to make sense for the Patriots?

That was last off season

 

[XLIX]

They have Michael Pittman Jr. signed for $29,000,000, No QB, and $34,952,488 in cap space. I think they will prioritize Daniel Jones as long as his achilles is hitting its goals. The cannot afford to keep Pierce. $20-$25 million is about right for him. AJ Brown comes in at $23,393,497, but there are three issues. First is draft capital. He will not be cheap. Second is age. He will be 29 in June. When does the drop off begin? Has it already? I dunno. Third, Philly would take a dead cap of $43,515,106. That is massive. Why would they do that? It would be smarter to weather the storm and see if Sean Mannion can make him happy this year. If not, dump him next year.

According to the article I read, which matches (within reason) my own calculations looking at his OTC numbers, his cap hit for 2026 if Philly does nothing is $23.4 million. If they trade him pre-June 1, it balloons to your $43.5 number but it is worth nothing that that is only $20 million more than what they designated him anyway.

If they wait until after June 1, which seems to make the most sense, then this year's number is $16 million, which represents a savings of roughly $7 million in 2026 and a very manageable $27 due in 2027.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Why would the Eagles want the dead cap hit? A poster did suggest earlier Barmore for Brown.

I've never been wow'ed by him and he's got an odd playing style which is hard to describe. Finally, these new era WR's are way overpriced. Pats need to focus on spending money on the OL draft another WR in the 2nd or 3rd and try to hit on someone.

 

[imahobgoblin]

According to the article I read, which matches (within reason) my own calculations looking at his OTC numbers, his cap hit for 2026 if Philly does nothing is $23.4 million. If they trade him pre-June 1, it balloons to your $43.5 number but it is worth nothing that that is only $20 million more than what they designated him anyway.

If they wait until after June 1, which seems to make the most sense, then this year's number is $16 million, which represents a savings of roughly $7 million in 2026 and a very manageable $27 due in 2027.

Here is the details. Its not Philly Freindly.

 

[XLIX]

Here is the details. Its not Philly Freindly.

You seem unaware that you posted a graphic which did nothing but confirm everything I said.

If they trade him post 6/1, they save $7 million in 2026 cap space and take a dead cap hit of $27 million in 2027 (which is only $5 million more than what he is already on the 2027 books for).

His TOTAL dead cap right now is $72 million, so a post 6/1 trade is an incredibly cap friendly way to get rid of him, especially when compared to what they are going to have to pay him otherwise.

 

[imahobgoblin]

You seem unaware that you posted a graphic which did nothing but confirm everything I said.

If they trade him post 6/1, they save $7 million in 2026 cap space and take a dead cap hit of $27 million in 2027 (which is only $5 million more than what he is already on the 2027 books for).

His TOTAL dead cap right now is $72 million, so a post 6/1 trade is an incredibly cap friendly way to get rid of him, especially when compared to what they are going to have to pay him otherwise.

I wasn't debating. All I did was post the frikin actual numbers. But let me go ahead and now teach you of your ignorant unawareness of how the cap works. For a player be designated post 6/1 trade, the player has to be traded post 6/1. A team can designate a cut as a post 6/1, but not a trade. Again, to achieve the same financial effect as a post-June 1 cut via a trade, the trade must be processed on or after June 2, or the team must absorb the full, immediate dead cap hit.

So, Mr. Unaware, the Pats are not waiting until 6/2 to trade for AJ Brown as the first option. The team is built by then. Just like I said. I don't see your theory happening. Its not Philly friendly.

 

[mgteich]

His TOTAL dead cap right now is $72 million, so a post 6/1 trade is an incredibly cap friendly way to get rid of him, especially when compared to what they are going to have to pay him otherwise.

Throwing away $72M of cap money is NOT, is NOT, is NOT incredibly cap friendly. It makes almost no difference whether you spread the cost out. The cost is still $72M.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Throwing away $72M of cap money is NOT, is NOT, is NOT incredibly cap friendly. It makes almost no difference whether you spread the cost out. The cost is still $72M.

Thank you.

 

[fnordcircle]

A Randy Moss trade of a 4th rounder would be fine with me.

I'm extremely meh on this guy and think he's the current best example of people overly-romanticizing players who are either past their prime or have become bitter/bad locker room types.

Could Vrabel rehab him? Idk, sure, Vrabel seems like quite possibly the best locker room type coach we've ever had. Like Belichick combined with Carroll.

I don't see how Philly can justify that cap hit and loss of a player in exchange for a day 3 pick, but I want nothing to do with high round picks for this dude.

 

[Toofy]

No thanks .. without the line no need to get expensive receivers.

At this point any investment in offense can happen only if the offense performance of Campbell at LT is not offensive .

Just invest in defense and lets try to build up our offense talent . We are too old in offense . So I would prefer if we start to get younger .

 

[upstater1]

It makes the most sense for the Eagles to keep him another year and then trade him for a 6th. Capwise that's what I would do. That way you spread out the cap hit over 3 years. $15m per year for the dead cap hit. Otherwise you get obliterated if you trade him before this year's draft ($53m dead cap) or after June 1st.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yeah, it was a while ago and my memory sucks, but I do remember some malcontent. Contract related more likely, although he never had a true QB there either. I think it was money related though, but there was some angst.

Ah.. .makes sense.. that is typical.. for example Ty law, Seymour, Milloy, Vince all had some big issues with BB over contracts.. Vince was even reported storming out the locker room yelling over his contract dispute..

 

[Real fan 02]

No thanks .. without the line no need to get expensive receivers.

At this point any investment in offense can happen only if the offense performance of Campbell at LT is not offensive .

Just invest in defense and lets try to build up our offense talent . We are too old in offense . So I would prefer if we start to get younger .

Drake, Campbell, Wilson, Williams, Henderson, Boutte, key guys on offense are your core players all under 25.. if Vrabel and the Organization felt it made sense then I'm all for it.. we need a difference maker at TE or WR that can get defenses out of 2 High coverage...

 

[Ian]

Brown would seem to make Boutte redundant. Wonder if a 3rd and Boutte would get it done?

I don't think you want Brown over Boutte. Boutte made a critical one-handed grab for a touchdown reception in that playoff game against Houston, while Brown had multiple drops that cost Philly in their loss. I understand Brown's ceiling being higher in theory, but he didn't look like that player when it mattered.

That game was eye-opening to me and turned me off of him. The Patriots need guys who can step up in the postseason, and Brown killed his team in that game. I'd rather keep Boutte and see who else might be out there.