ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said he’s waiting on a trade that will send Eagles receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots regardless of other teams potentially entering the mix.
During Wednesday’s installment of his podcast, Schefter and Ty Schmit of “The Pat McAfee Show” discussed the likelihood of a Brown trade and the veteran insider wouldn’t budge from his belief that Brown will reunite with his former coach Mike Vrabel in Foxborough.
Brown played under Vrabel on the Titans from 2019-21.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said Tuesday on “The Rich Eisen Show” that the Rams were “really close” to acquiring Brown earlier this offseason.
“It now feels like the closer we get to June 1, the more AJ Brown chatter is starting to pick up,” Schefter said. “Now, we’re starting to hear about other teams entering the mix. I was on a Philadelphia radio show this morning they brought up the idea that the Rams and the Jaguars could be getting back in. All of a sudden that’s interesting.
“I will remain in the camp that we’ve been in for the last six to seven weeks, which is that I still think [Brown] is getting traded. I still think he’s getting traded on or shortly after June 1 [the NFL’s tender deadline]. I still think that the New England Patriots are going away the lead contender to land A.J. Brown this offseason.
“I don’t care what other teams come up in connection with A.J. Brown trade talks between now and June 1. These other teams have had their opportunities throughout the offseason. There were conversations with the Rams that did not result in a deal. I don’t know about Jacksonville. I don’t know even know where that’s coming from.
“But I still think that the New England Patriots make the most sense. I still think that when all is said and done that the Patriots will wind up agreeing to a deal that will land A.J. Brown in New England and reunite him with Mike Vrabel as those two men move forward. To me, that’s what I’m waiting to see have happen.”
Brown is under contract through 2029 after signing a three-year, $92 million contract with the Eagles last April, and Philadelphia is on the hook financially depending on the timing of a potential trade.
The Eagles would benefit from trading the three-time Pro Bowler after June 1 for cap purposes.
The Super Bowl champ made it clear on multiple occasions last season — in the media and on social media — that he was frustrated with his role within the Eagles’ offense.
Brown finished the campaign with 1,003 receiving yards in the regular season, the second-lowest mark in his seven-year NFL career.
Brown married his long-time girlfriend Kelsey Riley on May 16 at Montage Laguna Beach, where former NFL cornerback Darius Slay was in attendance as a groomsman for his Super Bowl winning teammate.