OT- If the Eagles and AJ Brown part ways, would you want him on the Pats ?

[RobertWeathers]

That may have had nothing to do with AJ and everything to do with what it said about the Head Coach’s place in the grand scheme of Titan’s decision making. If it left Vrabes with a gaping hole in his roster and no way to do anything about it he could legitimately have seen it as being set up for failure, and that’s certainly good reason for him to lose his **** over it. And don’t try arguing that by saying it left a gaping hole in the roster that’s implicitly praising AJ, it’s just saying that it left an important role with no one to fill it.

I’m not a fan of making any substantial investment in WRs this offseason. We have a good receiver corps, and too many other important needs competing for investment. I’ll trust Vrabes on it, but I’ll be surprised if it happens, and disappointed if it happens without all the other needs like ILB, Edge, OL, and CB depth being solved first. Those are higher priorities as far as I’m concerned.

I tend to agree. Defense, OL, future TE are the priorities.

Vrable also wanted Tom but Robinson and Strunk wanted Tanny. Idiots

 

[DC Patriots]

Different era and different QB. Brady's was not a deep ball passer and strength was to diagnose the defense and get the ball to the receivers quickly. One of Maye's greatest strengths is his accurate deep ball passing. Brady was never a great deep ball passer.

Maye would benefit more from a true #1 WR.

Besides, Brown's salary is not that big. Top WRs of Brown caliber are now getting upwards to $40 million a year. Brown's contract caps out at $32 million in 2028 when the top WRs are likely going to command upwards to $45-50 million a year. And none of his salary is guaranteed.

This is the same thing when people complained about Diggs' contract which is a value based on his production. Even next year when his cap hit is $26.5 million, it is probably not even in the top ten for WR salaries. Brown's next two years are similar to Diggs with $29 million next year and $21 million the following.

Look, I like Brown a ton. As a player, and frankly I rather like him as a person as much as I can understand him. Video of him getting a jersey from Edelman is amazing. So it’s odd to find myself arguing this half of the argument, but. . .

Based upon some googling he is either the 6th or 7th most expensive WR in the NFL. He’s not cheap. And he will cost picks. Philly is very much still in their window and will not just let him walk. Let’s say they want a 3rd and he plays out his contract. These are both significant assumptions.

I don’t agree with you salary projections that make him a bargain. If you look at the WR salaries you have about a dozen guys who make 25-40 million and then a drop to the teens, followed by first round rookie deals around 8.6 m

Instead of trading for him and paying you can:
1) Draft another lineman with the 3rd (which is where we got our starting left guard)
2) pay 12-16 million for a lesser weapon (Pierce or Pitts)
3) spend the other 20 million getting a stud IOL/RT

That’s a lot vs AJ. There’s a reason of the top 12 WR by salary only 2 are in the playoffs. Does that make WR a bad investment? No, but it means they don’t guarantee winning.

So I think it’s a complex decision. Winning teams, particularly dynasties manage salaries well

 

[rkarp1]

rather than a 3rd rd pick, would you trade K Williams for AJ Brown straight up? would the Pats? would the Eagles?
Brown 2026 cap hit if traded w/b approx $23m in 2026 and approx $23m in 2027

 

[Real fan 02]

For a short, incentive laden contract based on production, health and availability.

I don't mind paying him a lot, just want insurance if he isn't available or becomes a distraction.

All that being said, he needs us a lot more than we need him.

Kyle Williams shouldn't lose snaps because AJ Brown is here. That kid is showing he belongs with timely catches and more importantly blocking his butt off when the ball doesn't come his way.

Exactly correct wozzy. AJ is still super talented and obviously the relationship has eroded with sirranni.. a 4th rounder should do the trick.. Roseman is a smart GM and knows that his value is likely 3rd or 4th rounder... AJ was phenomenal when he first got to Philly and was a huge reason why they made those superbowls. He'd fit in fine here. This locker room is strong and full of veterans

 

[rogerthat]

Look, I like Brown a ton. As a player, and frankly I rather like him as a person as much as I can understand him. Video of him getting a jersey from Edelman is amazing. So it’s odd to find myself arguing this half of the argument, but. . .

Based upon some googling he is either the 6th or 7th most expensive WR in the NFL. He’s not cheap. And he will cost picks. Philly is very much still in their window and will not just let him walk. Let’s say they want a 3rd and he plays out his contract. These are both significant assumptions.

I don’t agree with you salary projections that make him a bargain. If you look at the WR salaries you have about a dozen guys who make 25-40 million and then a drop to the teens, followed by first round rookie deals around 8.6 m

Instead of trading for him and paying you can:
1) Draft another lineman with the 3rd (which is where we got our starting left guard)
2) pay 12-16 million for a lesser weapon (Pierce or Pitts)
3) spend the other 20 million getting a stud IOL/RT

That’s a lot vs AJ. There’s a reason of the top 12 WR by salary only 2 are in the playoffs. Does that make WR a bad investment? No, but it means they don’t guarantee winning.

So I think it’s a complex decision. Winning teams, particularly dynasties manage salaries well

I'll take Pitts all day above Brown.
I like Pierce as a player, too.

 

[Real fan 02]

Look, I like Brown a ton. As a player, and frankly I rather like him as a person as much as I can understand him. Video of him getting a jersey from Edelman is amazing. So it’s odd to find myself arguing this half of the argument, but. . .

Based upon some googling he is either the 6th or 7th most expensive WR in the NFL. He’s not cheap. And he will cost picks. Philly is very much still in their window and will not just let him walk. Let’s say they want a 3rd and he plays out his contract. These are both significant assumptions.

I don’t agree with you salary projections that make him a bargain. If you look at the WR salaries you have about a dozen guys who make 25-40 million and then a drop to the teens, followed by first round rookie deals around 8.6 m

Instead of trading for him and paying you can:
1) Draft another lineman with the 3rd (which is where we got our starting left guard)
2) pay 12-16 million for a lesser weapon (Pierce or Pitts)
3) spend the other 20 million getting a stud IOL/RT

That’s a lot vs AJ. There’s a reason of the top 12 WR by salary only 2 are in the playoffs. Does that make WR a bad investment? No, but it means they don’t guarantee winning.

So I think it’s a complex decision. Winning teams, particularly dynasties manage salaries well

Great information here DC. Much appreciated.

In short here's what I'll say.

We have pieces. Drake, Campbell, gonzo, Williams you'd say are your guys that you build around.

We have ample cap space and Vrabel absolutely will address the depth and current holes.

We need to add not subtract. In my humble opinion Philly would have to agree to assuming some of AJs salary. I personally believe AJ wants to be back with Vrabel and play for his favorite team he grew up rooting for and wanted to be drafted to.

So next season a WR room comprised of
Brown, Diggs, Boutte, Hollins, Williams is solid.

 

[DC Patriots]

So next season a WR room comprised of
Brown, Diggs, Boutte, Hollins, Williams is solid.

Need someone to back Diggs up in the slot. Failure of either Pop or Chism to really grab that role is a problem.

 

[rkarp1]

my concern is would AJ Brown be happy in a Josh McD spread the ball around offense, getting 80-100 targets per season?

 

[Real fan 02]

Need someone to back Diggs up in the slot. Failure of either Pop or Chism to really grab that role is a problem.

Feel like chism is the guy pop is relegated to a reserve gadget role player now.

 

[Rob0729]

Look, I like Brown a ton. As a player, and frankly I rather like him as a person as much as I can understand him. Video of him getting a jersey from Edelman is amazing. So it’s odd to find myself arguing this half of the argument, but. . .

Based upon some googling he is either the 6th or 7th most expensive WR in the NFL. He’s not cheap. And he will cost picks. Philly is very much still in their window and will not just let him walk. Let’s say they want a 3rd and he plays out his contract. These are both significant assumptions.

I don’t agree with you salary projections that make him a bargain. If you look at the WR salaries you have about a dozen guys who make 25-40 million and then a drop to the teens, followed by first round rookie deals around 8.6 m

Instead of trading for him and paying you can:
1) Draft another lineman with the 3rd (which is where we got our starting left guard)
2) pay 12-16 million for a lesser weapon (Pierce or Pitts)
3) spend the other 20 million getting a stud IOL/RT

That’s a lot vs AJ. There’s a reason of the top 12 WR by salary only 2 are in the playoffs. Does that make WR a bad investment? No, but it means they don’t guarantee winning.

So I think it’s a complex decision. Winning teams, particularly dynasties manage salaries well

A correction, Brown is the 6th or 7th most expensive WR while he is an Eagle. If he is traded, he will drop quite a bit. He is only that high because of the bonus money already given to him. If the Pats traded for him, his deal would be four years at $113 million ($28.25 average) with only the money in the 2026 season ($29 million) guaranteed. The rest is just base salary making him easy to cut or renegotiate.

Based on that information, he would not be in the top ten in WR salaries. It would put him about 12th in this year's average salaries. But with Pickens going to get paid in free agency and Jaxon Smith Njgiba, Puka, Olave, and others potentially getting extensions, Brown's contract rank will likely drop.

 

[Rob0729]

my concern is would AJ Brown be happy in a Josh McD spread the ball around offense, getting 80-100 targets per season?

Brown had DaVonte Smith all these years with the Eagles. In Tenneessee, he never got more than 106 targets in a season. He is used to other people getting targets.

Besides, guys like Moss and Edelman got 100 receptions or more in a season in McDaniels' offense. Edelman had over 130 targets three times in his career.

 

[Wozzy]

Exactly correct wozzy. AJ is still super talented and obviously the relationship has eroded with sirranni.. a 4th rounder should do the trick.. Roseman is a smart GM and knows that his value is likely 3rd or 4th rounder... AJ was phenomenal when he first got to Philly and was a huge reason why they made those superbowls. He'd fit in fine here. This locker room is strong and full of veterans

He also has a history with Vrabel.

 

[1960Pats]

Are people here REALLY COMPARING Moss to AJ Brown?
Seriously?

Nobody is comparing their talent. The comparison is with their situation as rumored malcontents.

I answered the poll with a no but I'm having second thoughts after reading some of the posts.

 

[rkarp1]

not saying he is a malcontent, but I think he is looking at his next and probably last contract coming due, and wants to make sure he has the stats/is in an offense that features him, in order to cash in

 

[ScottishPatriots]

Even a post June 1st trade they take on 16m in dead money in 2026 and 27m in 2027.

 

[pazrul72]

I voted no for a lot of the reasons others have mentioned. WR room is fine, money better spent elsewhere, possible me first player who wasn't happy winning the Superbowl only when he whips the guy across from him, drops and lack of production, you get the idea. Lots of risk doing this move and I think there are better ones. I think it's way more important to build a steel fortress OL and add depth and pieces to the defense then add a shiny hood ornament.

All of that said I definitely would be cheering for him if he did become a Patriot and it's for one reason. Vrable. Coach has his DNA all over this team and knows exactly what they need and how they would respond to AJ. If he signs off on a trade then I trust him to know what he is doing and the idea of Maye with a potential top 5 WR would be fun to watch.

 

[Real fan 02]

Nobody is comparing their talent. The comparison is with their situation as rumored malcontents.

I answered the poll with a no but I'm having second thoughts after reading some of the posts.

The same things being posted negatively could have been said about Diggs and other players over the years all across the league. All that matters is what Vrabel and the organization believes. If there's anyone that can speak to AJ as a player and person it is Vrabel.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Are people here REALLY COMPARING Moss to AJ Brown?
Seriously?

I don't think people are comparing Brown to Moss, I think people are comparing the situation to Moss when he was with the Raiders. I have been up and down on this question, but ultimately believe that Vrabel's familiarity with Brown, who had no issues in Tennessee with Vrabel, means that it could work here if the price is right. Brown has always been a Patriots fan, and given what had taken place here this season he will almost certainly want to come here. There's also no doubt in my mind that Vrabel will make it clear to him that he won't put up with Brown demanding the ball, and will get it when Maye gets it to him, nothing more, I would not have given a 2nd round pick for him if it was 40 or above, but given that it will be between #56-#64 I would be willing to do it, as you probably won't get another receiver or possibly player of that caliber at that pick.

OL and defensive front 7 are still the priorities, but when you get the opportunity to get a really good player at a reasonable price you should take it.

 

[rkarp1]

The same things being posted negatively could have been said about Diggs and other players over the years all across the league. All that matters is what Vrabel and the organization believes. If there's anyone that can speak to AJ as a player and person it is Vrabel.

Diggs is 4 years older
this is most likely Diggs last contract
Diggs is coming off injury, and was looking for a contract
signing Diggs did not involve any compensation to another team

Brown will want 1 more contract after this one, and will want to remain in that top echelon. he needs the production to receive that contract.
look, the team has what, 1 more year for Hollins? 1 more year for Diggs? will they opt to keep Pop? Boutte? Will Williams develop? having Brown over the next 2-4 years is not a bad option. will he fit/thrive in McD's scheme?

 

[p8ryts]

Diggs is 4 years older
this is most likely Diggs last contract
Diggs is coming off injury, and was looking for a contract
signing Diggs did not involve any compensation to another team

Brown will want 1 more contract after this one, and will want to remain in that top echelon. he needs the production to receive that contract.
look, the team has what, 1 more year for Hollins? 1 more year for Diggs? will they opt to keep Pop? Boutte? Will Williams develop? having Brown over the next 2-4 years is not a bad option. will he fit/thrive in McD's scheme?

We don't need no DIVAS. Diggs has not been a diva.