The A.J. Brown saga has finally ended in Philly. Philadelphia traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and 2027 fifth-round pick. Brown and the Eagles won a Super Bowl in the 2024 season. He recorded a career year in 2022 with 1,496 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Throughout his career he was a three-time second team All-Pro and three-time Pro-Bowler along with being a Super Bowl champion.
The writing has been on the wall all season long. Brown was upset with the Eagles offense and his lack of touches. Philly’s offense this season was a mess and a significant drop-off from their Super Bowl season. Jalen Hurts and Brown would go back and forth with one another during the season. He would also post cryptic messages on social media and read on the sideline.
New England was able to get their true No. 1 receiver in Brown. He reunites with head coach Mike Vrabel as they were both part of the Tennessee Titans from 2019-21.
The Patriots made the Super Bowl this past season and ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Stefon Diggs was No.1 receiver last year for the Pats and had 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. Drake Maye was second in MVP voting this past season. Maye and Brown will form an electrifying duo next season.
Philly was well prepared for this moment as they brought in Dontayvion Wicks, Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Elijah Moore, and drafted Makai Lemon. Devonta Smith will step into the No. 1 receiver role. He was a former Heisman trophy winner with Alabama. Smith recorded 1,008 receiving yards and four touchdowns this past season. In 2022, he recorded a career season with 1,196 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
A change of scenery for Brown will do wonders for him. Smith and the new Eagles receivers will look to bring consistent offense to the Eagles.
