Report: Patriots, Eagles ‘likely’ have deal for WR A.J. Brown in June

A.J. Brown isn't on the move yet, but the long-rumored trade target could be landing in New England this summer.

ESPN reported Brown is "likely" to be traded to the Patriots from the Eagles in June, when the contract and cap ramifications are less severe for Philadelphia.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni have been singing a similar tune on the trade rumors. Most recently, Roseman said at his pre-draft press conference that "A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles."

"From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I'm going to go right back to that answer," he said.

Brown's frustrations with the Philadelphia offense have been well documented over the past couple of seasons.

But there's a reason Roseman is riding the brakes on making such a deal: The dead cap hit for trading him before June 1 is more than $40 million. It is about $20 million after that date.

Brown, 28, averaged 72.5 catches and 1,041 receiving yards in the past two seasons, compared to 97.0 and 1,476 in his first two seasons with Philadelphia from 2022-23.

Brown played for the Titans when Mike Vrabel was Tennessee's head coach prior to being traded to the Eagles for multiple draft picks in April 2022. Vrabel and the Patriots are in the market for a lead receiver.