Is no news always good news?
Eliot Wolf, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel, denied any recent talks between New England and Philadelphia regarding A.J. Brown on Fanduel's 'Up and Adams' show Monday.
"A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles, as Howie [Roseman] mentioned yesterday. We haven’t any conversations about anything regarding that in a long time," Wolf told Kay Adams.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: General manager Eliot Wolf of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
As Wolf mentioned, Roseman had little to say about Brown during a media availability at the NFL owners meetings in Arizona this week.
"A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I'm going to go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I put on TV and I see that there's interest. But my answer is A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles," the Eagles general manager said, according to Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane.
The rumor mill has tried to connect the dots between Brown and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel since last season. Brown, an All-Pro receiver, played for Vrabel when the two were in Tennessee - where the 28-year-old was first drafted. He appeared frustrated and disengaged with his role in Philadelphia last season.
The Patriots also moved on from the most productive receiver on last year's team, Stefon Diggs.
Back out in Arizona, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was asked whether he expects Brown at organized team activities next month.
"Nothing's changed there. A.J.'s an Eagle," he said, according to NFL.com. "Nothing has changed from the last time I spoke to you guys. That's where we are."
Philadelphia doesn't have much of an incentive to move Brown before June 1, unless they have a particular pick in mind for the 2026 NFL Draft. They'd incur a $43.4 million dead cap hit if they moved him before that date, and just a $16.4 million in dead money if they wait until afterwards.
That timing could put the Patriots in a sticky predicament. Trading a first-round pick in the 30s, (the Patriots have the 31st pick this year), could be a very different equation than trading a future first-round pick. If the Patriots regress dramatically during this upcoming season, like the Washington Commanders did between 2024 and 2025, they could be dealing a pick with much higher value than they realize right now.
But that may be the cost of doing business for a three-time All-Pro on the right side of 30. Either way, all parties involved insist there's nothing to see here...as of now.
