Ian Rapoport: Patriots trading for A.J. Brown ‘most likely scenario’ this offseason

"Most people believe that there’s an eventual trade to the Patriots."

A.J. Brown continues to be linked to the Patriots in trade rumors. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

April 16, 2026

2 minutes to read

The Patriots might be setting their sights on next week’s NFL Draft, but the rumors surrounding New England and Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown aren’t quieting down at this juncture of the NFL offseason.

Appearing on FS1’s “The Herd” on Thursday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that it feels like a given that Brown will eventually be traded to the Patriots in the coming months.

“Obviously, Post-June 1 is a very big date in the A.J. Brown sweepstakes, if that’s what you want to call it,” Rapoport said. “Most people believe that there’s an eventual trade to the Patriots. It has not been done yet; I don’t believe it’s been done yet. And I don’t know for sure for sure that’s going to happen, because life is weird and that’s two months from now.

“But that’s probably the most likely scenario, and I think if that’s the case that probably makes sense for both sides — if they can agree on a price.”

"Post-June 1 is a very big date in the A.J. Brown sweepstakes…Most people believe that there's an eventual trade to the Patriots…that's probably the most likely scenario." – Ian Rapoport pic.twitter.com/GnNlWS5M2i
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 16, 2026

June 1 has been a date tossed around for months now when it comes to the Patriots’ potential pursuit of Brown, as noted by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

“If the Eagles traded the receiver before June 1, they would absorb $43.5 million in dead money on their salary cap ($20.1 million more than his current cap charge),” Reiss wrote. “If they traded Brown after June 1, the dead money on their salary cap would be $16.353 million.”

“That simple math highlights why any deal for Brown, with the Patriots a top suitor, wouldn’t be finalized until June 1.”

Given that the Eagles — still fixed in a win-now contention window — don’t want to operate with such a sizable dead-cap hit on their books in 2026, it makes sense that any potential deal between the Patriots and Eagles won’t be struck until after June 1.

According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Brown — who played for Mike Vrabel in Tennessee — has an understanding that the Eagles will trade him later on this offseason.

“Eagles GM Howie Roseman continues to say Brown is a member of the Eagles, and that is an unassailable fact,” Jones wrote. “But what sources have pointed out to me is that Brown has done nothing publicly to try to punch his way out of Philly, and those sources have theorized that Brown may have an understanding that a deal will take place at some point in the summer.

“Making a public stink does not help his position, especially when he could be on another team by OTAs and minicamp in June anyway.”

Brown — who has recorded 339 receptions for 5,034 receiving yards and 32 receiving touchdowns since joining the Eagles via trade in 2022 — would be an immediate upgrade on New England’s depth chart as a proven WR1 for Drake Maye.