FOXBOROUGH, MA — AJ Brown wasn’t at Philadelphia Eagles voluntary offseason training activities (OTAs).
He wasn’t at the New England Patriots’ OTAs, either.
But Brown’s seemingly imminent arrival was palpable May 27 when head coach Mike Vrabel addressed reporters for the first time since the NFL draft. Since then, ESPN has reported that Brown being traded for a future first-round draft pick is “still on track.”
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The view from south Philadelphia was another strong indication that Brown’s time in the city of brotherly love has reached its conclusion after four seasons.
“There’s an ‘if.’ Obviously, it’s been lingering,” quarterback Jalen Hurts told reporters May 27, while indicating he and Brown have not spoken since the season ended. “But nothing can replace all the greatness we achieved together.”
The Eagles reached the Super Bowl in Brown’s first year and quarterback Jalen Hurts’ development took off. Brown was pivotal to the team that won Super Bowl 59.
Brown, 28, would immediately raise the floor of a Patriots receivers room that overperformed in 2025, when the team made a surprise run to Super Bowl 60. He was second-team All-Pro in his first three seasons with the Eagles, has eclipsed the 1,000-yard benchmark in six of his seven pro seasons and has 32 touchdowns over the past four years (and 5 career playoff scores).
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown looks on prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game in January against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field.
The trade would, of course, reunite Brown with Vrabel, his coach for the first three seasons of his career when both were with the Tennessee Titans. Both were jettisoned to greener pastures.
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“We want to continue to improve the roster every opportunity that we get. And when those opportunities arise – I don’t know,” Vrabel said, before stopping himself short. “I know that the guys that we have here are working extremely hard.”
More from Patriots OTAs: Mike Vrabel addresses family after Dianna Russini controversy: ‘I love Jen’
Nobody is confusing New England with Zihuatanejo, but Brown once again seems destined to join a team on the rise with a burgeoning signal-caller. And that’s much to the delight of an ex-teammate from Philadelphia, Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams.
“Great dude,” Williams said of Brown. “Monster on the field. Great in the locker room, holding guys accountable and holding himself accountable.
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“You see the noise. He’s a hell of a player. He can definitely help our team. But they don’t pay me to do that.”
In what is formally designated “Phase Two” of the offseason training program – no live contact or hitting permitted, but drills and plays featuring the offense against the defense are allowed – having any serious opinion about the state of either side of the ball is a mostly foolish endeavor.
“I think it’s part of the NFL,” quarterback Drake Maye said of the Brown trade rumors. “They throw names around here, around every team, depending on whoever looks best in the graphic in the jersey on social media.
The Patriots are missing wideout Kayshon Boutte, who had six touchdowns last season and is seeking a better contract. Working with the wideouts in attendance, including free-agent pickup Romeo Doubs, remains Maye’s priority. Kyle Williams, entering his second year, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism took passes from the 2025 MVP runner-up Wednesday.
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“I know there’s a lot of talk with that, but if he ends up being on our team, great,” Maye said. “What a great player. And if he doesn’t, we’ve still got to work these guys here. It’s a tough balance, but I know he’s a phenomenal player.”
After Stefon Diggs caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns last season – all while emerging as a reliable target that mattered in Maye’s maturation – New England cut the 11-year pro as he faced strangulation and assault and battery charges. Diggs was acquitted by a jury of both charges on May 5.
The next Patriots workout with media availability is June 2, the day Brown can be dealt to New England. By trading Brown after June 1, the Eagles can avoid adding $27.1 million to their 2026 salary cap by spreading the dead-cap charge for Brown – who signed a three-year, $96 million extension with Philadelphia in 2024 – over two years thanks to the league’s salary-cap rules.
“We’re going to look to strengthen the roster wherever we can,” Vrabel repeated.
The hint has been well-taken in Foxborough.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A.J. Brown trade to Patriots from Eagles seems inevitable at OTAs
