Eagles reportedly to ‘operate’ 2026 NFL Draft as if A.J. Brown won’t be in Philly Week 1

Star wide receiver A.J. Brown remains a member of the Philadelphia Eagles as another work week comes to an end.

Recent reporting from various NFL insiders indicates that a potential deal involving A.J. Brown will be finalized after June 1. That specific date is the first day the Eagles would experience salary cap relief if they traded Brown.

If Philadelphia were to trade Brown pre-June 1, it would face a $43.5 million dead cap hit. However, a post-June 1 deal would ensure the Eagles only take a $16 million hit to their salary cap.

The Patriots reportedly are “front-runners” to eventually acquire Brown, according to several reporters in recent weeks, including CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

“The New England Patriots remain the frontrunner to acquire the All Pro receiver, and what has been true all offseason continues to be true today as it relates to his contract,” Jones wrote Thursday.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport echoed a similar sentiment the same day.

Jones continued, citing Brown’s decision not to speak publicly about his current situation with the Eagles. Jones wrote that Brown seems to “understand” a trade is on the horizon.

“But what sources have pointed out to me is that Brown has done nothing publicly to try to punch his way out of Philly, and those sources have theorized that Brown may (have) an understanding that a deal will take place at some point in the summer,” Jones said. “Making a public stink does not help his position, especially when he could be on another team by OTAs and minicamp in June anyway.”

From Philadelphia’s perspective, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, the organization is moving forward with its offseason as if Brown will not be with the team come Week 1 later this year.

Darlington said that the Eagles are going to “operate” next week’s 2026 NFL Draft with the mindset that Brown will be traded.

“This is a team that will be operating in this draft as if they eventually will be moving A.J. Brown, whether they ultimately do it or not,” Darlington said on ESPN’s “Get Up” Friday morning.

This year’s Draft is particularly deep when it comes to wide receiver prospects. Philadelphia currently has the No. 23 overall pick in the first round, as well as the No. 54 pick in the second.

Considering the reporting surrounding Brown and the Eagles, the franchise seems likely to heavily consider selecting a WR when their turns come.

Darlington noted that things can change as it pertains to Brown. But the reporter noted that even if Philly opts not to draft a WR high, it wouldn’t equate to the team having a change of heart with Brown.

“I also do think, though, even if they don’t take the wide receiver, that is not a suggestion that A.J. Brown will be sticking around,” Darlington said.

A trade involving Brown feels inevitable, as it has dating back to the regular season. There are still over six weeks until June 1, but the Patriots have been consistently linked as the leading candidate in the sweepstakes for the player.

Unless the asking price changes significantly or a mystery team comes to the forefront, it seems like New England will have a legitimate shot at landing the playmaking receiver.

Kaley Brown

Sports producer

Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.