NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are still working through the structure of a potential AJ Brown trade.
This is not being framed as a simple pick-for-player deal. The latest detail suggests the package could involve pick swaps, which would help both teams balance value without making the deal look too one-sided.
That matters because Brown is not just another receiver. New England would be trying to give Drake Maye a true No. 1 weapon, while Philadelphia would be moving one of the NFL’s most physical playmakers.
Josina Anderson says New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are debating AJ Brown pick structure
In a recent Josina Anderson X post, the NFL insider explained where part of the negotiation has focused.
“A league source tells me this morning that the Eagles and Patriots have recently ‘grappled’ over the component of the total trade compensation for AJ Brown that could involve a ‘swapping of picks,'” Anderson revealed.
She added, “With that said, over the last 7 days, my sense from various conversations is that New England is still casting good confidence a Brown trade will get done.”
That confidence is what matters for Patriots fans. New England has been searching for a receiver who can reshape its passing game, and Brown would immediately give Maye the contested-catch, yards-after-catch, and red-zone presence the team has lacked.
The timing also lines up. A post-June 1 deal has long been considered more manageable for the Eagles because of the way it can spread out the cap hit from Brown’s contract.
Josina Anderson warns Howie Roseman can still complicate New England Patriots’ AJ Brown confidence
Anderson also relayed a caution from a league source about why the situation is not settled yet.
“This is still Howie Roseman we are talking about and everyone’s still gonna hold all of their cards up until the start of June,” the league source revealed.
“So yes, a concern always gets floated here & there in these things that someone would swoop in at the last minute, and it would be a deal that Philly couldn’t refuse,” they added.
That is the warning attached to any Eagles negotiation. Roseman is rarely rushed, and Philadelphia has no reason to make the deal feel easy if another team can still improve the market.
Reports have also suggested the Eagles have held firm on major compensation, including first-round value, while New England has tried to avoid overpaying.
So the framework is clear. The Patriots believe Brown can be the missing star for their offense, but the Eagles still control the leverage until the compensation, pick swaps, and late bidder risk are finally resolved.
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