New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has reignited rumors of a potential trade for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown, thanks to some intriguing comments he made recently. During an appearance on The Greg Hill Show, Vrabel addressed a playful observation made by the host about Brown reading a book on the sidelines during the Eagles’ Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers. Vrabel responded, “Maybe if you provide a free book on the sidelines, you might be able to get a certain wide receiver here,” subtly hinting at a possible desire to bring Brown to New England.
Brown, currently one of the NFL’s top receivers, has a history with Vrabel from their time together in Tennessee. Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Brown quickly became a centerpiece of the Titans’ offense. However, his 2022 trade to the Eagles during the NFL Draft was a sore point for Vrabel, who was visibly upset with the decision. Adding to the intrigue, Brown has previously expressed admiration for the Patriots, his childhood team. A reunion with Vrabel in New England could be an enticing prospect for the Pro Bowl receiver.
Despite his strong ties to Vrabel and the Patriots, Brown is under a long-term contract with the Eagles, having signed a lucrative extension last offseason. Nevertheless, trade rumors have continued to swirl, partly fueled by speculation about Brown’s dissatisfaction with his current role in Philadelphia’s offense. During their playoff win over Green Bay, Brown was targeted only three times, raising questions about his involvement in the Eagles’ passing attack led by quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The Patriots’ Need for Brown
If a trade were to materialize, Brown would address a glaring need for the Patriots, especially as they aim to provide rookie quarterback Drake Maye with top-tier receiving talent. With the release of Tyquan Thornton in 2024, the Patriots’ receiving corps is in flux. A potential deal could involve New England parting with wideouts Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas to make room for Brown, bolstering their offense in a significant way.
Other Potential Destinations for Brown
The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers could also be contenders for Brown if he becomes available. The Ravens have struggled to maintain consistency in their receiving corps, especially with injuries to Zay Flowers and a lackluster year from Diontae Johnson. Adding Brown to their lineup would give quarterback Lamar Jackson a reliable target alongside Flowers.
Meanwhile, the Chargers, with ample cap space in the upcoming offseason, could offer a competitive package. With rookie Ladd McConkey showing promise and Quentin Johnston underperforming, Brown would be a substantial upgrade over pending free agents DJ Chark and Joshua Palmer.
Though all of this remains speculative, Vrabel’s comments have added fuel to the fire. Whether the Patriots or another team can pull off a blockbuster deal for Brown remains to be seen, but the trade rumors are unlikely to fade anytime soon.
