Eagles’ Brown ‘knows where his future is headed’ amid constant rumors

Previous reports suggested that Philadelphia Eagles
general manager Howie Roseman and wide receiver A.J. Brown “may have an understanding” that Brown will receive a desired trade to the New England Patriots via an agreement that can’t become official before June 1 because of the Eagles’ salary-cap issues.

During a Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter indicated nothing has changed regarding Brown’s future. 

Eagles, A.J. Brown, Patriots all seem to know how this story will end

“I think he knows where his future is headed at this moment,” Schefter said about Brown, per Jacob Camenker of USA Today. “It will be a matter of the Patriots and the Eagles getting together to basically process the trade, finalize the trade, make sure it happens. …I still think that once we get to June, these two sides will get together and complete a trade that will send A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots.”

The Eagles seemingly filled the spot on their roster that will open up once Brown is dealt when they traded up to take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23. Meanwhile, the Patriots still have a clear need at the position following the player-selection process. 

Could Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini scandal keep the Patriots from completing a trade for A.J. Brown? 

Understandably, some have wondered if the much-discussed controversy involving New England head coach Mike Vrabel and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini could have any impact on the Patriots acquiring Brown from the Eagles. 

“There’s nothing that has transpired here, despite all of the events in New England, that has deterred this trade from coming up,” Schefter said, according to Aaliyan Mohammed of NESN. “I still think it is on track. I still think it is going to happen. I still think it’s likely to involve a future [first-round draft selection], likely a 2028 first-round draft pick.”

There’s been no indication that Vrabel will step down or be dismissed this spring. He spent the final day of this year’s draft (April 25) away from the Patriots so that he could reportedly participate in counseling, and he previously suggested he could miss portions of the offseason program if he feels his family “needs” him to do so. 

Nevertheless, it continues to sound like it is a matter of when and not if Vrabel will once again be coaching Brown. Vrabel was Brown’s head coach when the two were with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 through the 2021 season.