A little over a year ago, A.J Brown was hauling in a 12-yard touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Back then, everything was fine between Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles. But 2025 has been a different story, and the WR’s heated sideline exchange with Sirianni, with him openly criticizing the offensive schemes, showed the cracks. He looks like he wants out, and it turns out he even has a wish list.

According to Albert Breer, the Brown camp has done its homework on the plausible landing spots. The Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots were all reportedly on his wish list. A move to Kansas sounds fitting for Brown, a fresh, clean slate to forgo the shadows of the past season. Plus for Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, adding Brown would fill the No. 1 receiver void KC has carried since Tyreek Hill left in 2022. But turning that idea into reality is proving complicated.

For starters, the Eagles’ asking price has been steep. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, teams have contacted Philadelphia about Brown, but the organization is holding firm. The expectation, according to reports, is a Davante Adams-style return, similar to the 2022 deal that brought the Green Bay Packers a first- and second-round pick from the Las Vegas Raiders. Graziano mentioned that if teams aren’t willing to discuss at least a first-round pick, the conversation likely won’t go far.

“If you’re not ready to talk about at least your first-round pick, I don’t think that conversation is getting very far,” Graziano noted.

AJ Brown’s 2025 numbers were quiet: just 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. But the backdrop explains everything. His well-documented falling out with the Eagles’ organization over a decreased offensive role cast a shadow over his entire season. Even if he missed crucial catches, a 3x Pro Bowler doesn’t exactly forget how to play. What is making things complicated though, is the financial side of things.

Trading Brown before June 1 would leave Philadelphia with a $43.5 million dead cap hit, which will increase their cap charge by more than $20 million. A post-June 1 move can ease the situation slightly. This will allow the Eagles to save $7 million in cap space. So as discussions happen internally, the options are rather drying up.

Breer reports that the Bills are no longer involved in this chase after getting a deal done for D.J. Moore. The Chargers, too, have changed their focus towards the offensive line and edge positions. And the Chiefs, despite having a rather lucrative possibility to pair Mahomes, who is coming off surgery, with Brown, seem to be committed to a different offseason strategy. 

By moving their Pro Bowl cornerback to the Los Angeles Rams, the Chiefs collected the No. 29 overall pick, a fifth, a sixth in 2026, and a third-rounder in 2027. But Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach may not be using those picks for AJ Brown.

Chiefs target the backfield as full roster reset accelerates

The backfield has been the real mission for Andy Reid & Co. this offseason. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne Jr. has drawn genuine interest from both the Kansas City and the Denver Broncos recently.

Etienne ran for 1,107 yards in 2025, averaging 4.3 yards per carry across 17 games, and brought in 7 touchdowns. With Veach noting at the Combine that this year’s draft running back class looks “leaner,” securing a veteran back in free agency becomes urgent.

Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, projected as the top running back in the 2026 class, has also expressed interest in the Chiefs. This gives Coach Reid an affordable alternative worth watching. The Chiefs can even try to move up the draft board to snag him if free agency doesn’t work.

Elsewhere, the roster reset has been sweeping. Kansas City released offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, clearing roughly $20 million in cap space. They’ve also declined to tender guard Mike Caliendo, per reports.

Both moves reflect a front office making space for the next chapter, not recycling the last one. Meanwhile, the Chiefs may also have to part ways with linebacker Leo Chenal, as he has garnered a lot of interest in the market.

Kansas City enters this offseason with a clear-eyed plan in a complicated landscape. The AJ Brown scenario is tempting: elite talent, motivated seller, and a quarterback who could use the weapons. But with precious draft capital to protect and a backfield overhaul underway, it looks difficult. Whether Brown lands in Kansas City depends on one thing: the Eagles blinking first.