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Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) looks on prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The A.J. Brown trade saga is approaching its final act. SportsBoom's Jason La Canfora reported Sunday that two separate NFL general managers, neither involved in the negotiations, told him the same thing about where things stand between the Eagles and Patriots.
"I hear it's New England for a 2028 first-round pick. He's a good football player, but that's a helluva deal for Howie," one GM said.
The second GM was even more direct.
"It's getting done. Howie is ready to put this behind him."
Why the 2028 first-round pick represents a compromise both sides can live with
The compensation figure isn't what Eagles GM Howie Roseman originally sought. Philadelphia entered negotiations wanting a 2027 first-round pick, and New England resisted, largely because the 2027 class is widely regarded as deeper and more valuable than this year's, making the pick worth more. The 2028 pick softens that.
“I hear it's New England for a 2028 first-round pick. He's a good football player, but that's a helluva deal for Howie”
“It's getting done. Howie is ready to put this behind him.”
Two separate NFL general managers not involved in the AJ Brown negotiations on what they are… pic.twitter.com/tzEbFnNXrp
The Eagles have spent the offseason rebuilding their receiver room around this outcome. They drafted Makai Lemon with the 20th pick, added Marquise Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Elijah Moore in free agency, and still have DeVonta Smith as the lead target for Jalen Hurts.
Philadelphia's willingness to absorb the 2028 pick tracks with Roseman's history. He accepted a 2026 third-round pick from Carolina for Haason Reddick in 2024 and used the Jets' Quinnen Williams trade as his comp framework.
The addition fills the biggest need on the roster for the Patriots. Stefon Diggs led the Patriots in receiving yards during their Super Bowl run last season and is now a free agent.
Brown is a three-time Pro Bowler. He has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last four seasons, giving Drake Maye a genuine No. 1 target who changes what New England can do offensively.
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