A.J. Brown certainly seemed excited after being traded to the Patriots, who agreed the long-rumored deal with the Eagles on Monday.
The star wide receiver posted photos of himself as a boy in a No. 12 Tom Brady Patriots jersey to Instagram shortly after the news became official. The Patriots’ official account replied, “Welcome home.”
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Brown also wrote a goodbye to Philadelphia, where he spent four seasons and won a Super Bowl during the 2024 season.
“Eagles nation. Thank you for welcoming my family and me with open arms from day one,” Brown wrote along with a photo of him making a heart with his hands during a game with the club. “This city, this locker room and this fan base will always hold a special place in my heart. To my brothers in the locker room – thank you for going to battle with me every single day. The memories we made together, on and off the field, are something I’ll carry forever.
“To the coaching staff, trainers and equipment staff, cafeteria workers and the cleaning crew – thank you for everything you do behind the scenes to keep us going. There are so many people in the building who make it possible for us to go out there and complete, and I’m grateful for all of you.
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“Playing for this city has been an honor, and I’m thankful for every moment I had in midnight green. Thank you, Philly. Much love always and God bless.”
Brown, who played under Patriots coach Mike Vrabel for three seasons with the Titans, had been rumored to be heading to New England after not being shy about issues with his decreased role in the Eagles offense.
By trading the three-time All-Pro on June 1, the Eagles can split up their dead cap hit of more than $40 million. They received a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder back in the deal.
“I think he just felt for his family, at this stage of his career, it was something that he was desiring, that he was looking to do,” Eagles GM Howie Roseman said during a conference call, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think that, again, the conversations with him overall were positive. I think it just kind of got to a point where it made some sense from both sides.”
Brown’s arrival gives Patriots quarterback Drake Maye a No. 1 receiver option after the team moved on Stefon Diggs following a Super Bowl appearance last season.
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New England followed its social media posts welcoming Brown to the team with a screenshot of him from an April 2025 Instagram video of him holding a signed Julian Edelman jersey he received from the star receiver, in which the hyped former Eagle says: “The wait is over, man.” Brown calls Edelman the GOAT.
