Earlier reports suggested that both the Patriots and the Rams were in a head-to-head race for AJ Brown, but now it seems that the Patriots are the only contenders left. The Rams reportedly backed off following a “preliminary medical research,” but even with only one AFC East division in the standings, the Eagles are in no rush to part ways with AJ Brown so soon.

“[The Eagles] are scheduled to have 11 or 12 picks in this [year’s NFL] Draft,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on 97.5 The Fanatic. “I don’t think picks in this draft matter all that much to them [in a potential AJ Brown deal]. Of course, picks in every draft matter, but I think if they had their choice, it would be picks in 2027 & 2028; that matter more.”

Schefter explained exactly what Philly wants from a potential AJ Brown trade. And it points squarely at one thing: future draft capital over present compensation.

The Eagles under GM Howie Roseman are exploring a trade for Brown. That much appears inevitable at this point. But Roseman is not moving him for a discount. He wants the right price, and the 2026 draft picks are not cutting it for Philadelphia. That sets one thing clear: a pre-June 1 trade is almost certainly off the table.

“I don’t think they need more picks in 2026; they would probably like to spread it out, and this is not supposed to be a great draft. The 2027 draft is supposed to be [a string draft], to me I’d want as much draft pick ammo in 2027 and maybe 2028 more so than 2026,” Schefter added. 

As of now, the Eagles hold nine draft picks heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. They own their first, second, and fourth round selections. They also hold a third and a fifth round pick acquired through previous trades, along with four compensatory picks ranging from the third to the sixth round. 

So, everything points directly at a post-June 1 trade. That is when the Eagles can demand picks from the 2027 or 2028 draft. But the timing is not just about draft strategy. It is also about money, and the numbers make a compelling case for patience.

A pre-June 1 trade hits Philadelphia with a $43.51 million dead cap charge and costs them $20.1 million in cap savings. Flip the calendar past June 1, and that dead money splits across two years, with only $16.35 million hitting the books in 2026. The Eagles also gain $7.04 million in cap savings under that structure. 

That financial reality is exactly what has kept Roseman and the Eagles from pulling the trigger so far. Both the Rams and the Patriots knocked on their door for Brown, and Roseman turned them away. The Eagles reportedly asked for two draft picks and a player in return, and neither team was willing to meet that price. 

However, Philly’s recent signing has added more fuel to the AJ Brown trade speculation.

What Marquise Hollywood Brown’s signing really means for AJ Brown’s trade?

On March 17, the Eagles signed Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. Brown arrives with seven years of pro experience, a 45.9% receiving success rate, 371 career receptions, and 4,322 receiving yards.

So, Roseman now has another wide receiver on the roster with the ability to make plays. But Hollywood Brown slots in best as a WR3. His signing adds depth to the room, but it does not solve the AJ Brown question. If anything, it suggests the Eagles are preparing for a world without their star wideout, while also being careful not to leave Jalen Hurts without weapons.

That is because Hollywood Brown cannot replicate what AJ Brown brings to an offense. In seven years in the league, AJ Brown has posted six seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards (8,029 total) and carries a 55.3% receiving success rate. He is not a complementary piece. He is a difference-maker, and Roseman knows it better than anyone.

“It’s hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said at the Combine in January. “That’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out in free agency and the Draft, is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. So that would be my answer.”

The Eagles’ locker room went through serious turbulence last season. Their offense sputtered at critical moments. The coaching staff’s culture came under scrutiny. And the team’s chemistry was openly questioned even after winning a Super Bowl just months prior. 

But no doubt, Philadelphia still has the talent. What the Eagles need more than anything heading into 2026 is a cultural reset, a locker room that pulls in one direction from training camp through February.