A.J. Brown Traded: Eagles Get First-Round Pick

A.J. Brown was traded to the New England Patriots, with the Philadelphia Eagles receiving a first-round pick in 2028 and a fifth-rounder in 2027. The Eagles' general manager, Howie Roseman, made it clear that any trade involving A.J. Brown required a first-round pick.

What happened?

The trade was finalized after weeks of negotiations, with the Patriots reluctant to give up more than a second-round pick. The Eagles got what they wanted, with Roseman stating that a pick is a pick, regardless of the year.

Why it matters for A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown had his least-productive season with the Eagles in 2025, posting 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. He was still one of 19 players to eclipse 1,000 yards, making him a valuable asset to the Patriots. The Patriots have an emerging star passer in Drake Maye, who will now have A.J. Brown as a No. 1 option on Sundays.

What comes next?

The Eagles won't have an additional first-round pick for the next draft, but they could go on the clock twice in 2028. Roseman told The Athletic that the Eagles considered future picks, saying "teams are still going to be playing football in 2028". The Patriots, on the other hand, get a three-time All-Pro receiver in A.J. Brown, who will be a key player for the team. And with the trade now official, the focus will be on how A.J. Brown performs with his new team. But for now, the Eagles are satisfied with the return they got for their star wide receiver. So the trade is a win for the Eagles, at least in the eyes of league circles, according to a recent report from ESPN. The Eagles' return was considered a win, with the team getting what they wanted in the trade.