The perfect offseason trade the Patriots need to make to get back to the Super Bowl after a loss

they exist three key New England Patriots players to re-sign for 2026. And they must makes good decisions in the draft. But here’s the perfect offseason trade the Patriots must make to get back to the Super Bowl after a crushing loss.

The offensive line and edge rusher positions will be key to getting the Patriots ready for the 2026 season. But those aren’t the places they need to go to find a key trade that will make them the favorite to return to the big game.

Instead, the Patriots need to make a deal that will land them an Alpha wide receiver. Stefon Diggs was #1 this season. But the days when he played up to that level are over.

Patriots should deal for Eagles AJ Brown

Let’s be real about the Patriots. Diggs is a No. 2 borderline guy at this point in his career. He is 32 years old and should probably be the number 3 guy at this stage.

In 2025, he caught 85 passes for just 1,013 yards. That’s an average of just 11.9 yards per catch. Worse, Diggs only scored four touchdowns. With a young, high-potential quarterback like Drake Maie, the Patriots’ No. 1 guy should put up far better numbers.

And that’s where Brown enters the conversation. Granted, you won’t see much of a difference between Brown’s and Diggs’ numbers. But the relationship between Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts has soured this season. Or maybe Hurts got worse.

Regardless, Brown has had games where he has disappeared. That should never happen. And it wouldn’t be with the Patriots.

NFL Insider Adam Schefter like the idea on Brown landing with the Patriots, according to 97.5 The Fanatic via Sports Illustrated.

“I think he’s becoming a trade candidate here,” Schefter said last month. “There was enough buzz about it when he wanted out. There was enough focus and attention in that area. I think it would be a surprise if there wasn’t a conversation to see, ‘Okay, well, what could he bring back?’ For me, I see him playing in New England next year below Mike Vrabel.”

In addition to Diggs, the Patriots currently have Keyshawn Booth, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams. There is no threat in that crowd to intimidate the defense.

But Brown is it. And his presence would lift all those players. And the whole group would raise Mai.

But what would the Patriots offer?

The Patriots have the draft capital to make it happen

New England has its pick in all seven rounds. They also have the Bears’ 4th round pick, along with picks previously held by the Chiefs, Vikings and Steelers in the 6th round.

So what could they offer to separate Brown from the Eagles? First, they should keep him in 2026. If the Eagles demand anything earlier than a 2027 fourth-round pick, the Patriots should end negotiations.

Interestingly, like the Patriots, the Eagles also have extra picks in this year’s draft. But the Patriots’ first-round pick would help the Eagles a lot. If the Eagles were to acquire the 31st overall pick as part of the Brown deal, they would have the 23rd, 31st, 54th and 68th picks.

These four draft picks could go a long way in finding a young receiver to replace Brown. And also meeting their other needs.

So the Patriots could offer their 1st and 3rd round picks this year to the Eagles for Brown. That would give the Eagles 23, 31, 54 and 95. In return, the Patriots would get Brown along with the Eagles’ better fourth-round pick (122nd overall).

That would mean the Patriots would pick Nos. 63, 122, 125 and 131. That flurry of fourth-round picks would allow the Patriots to address the offensive line and also pick up a defensive player or two.

The Patriots don’t have a perfect roster by any means. But if they land a true No. 1 receiver, add a young offensive lineman and bolster the offensive line, this team will be good enough to make another run in 2026. Of course, they won’t have the easy schedule they had this year. And also due to circumstances, they managed to have an easy schedule in the postseason. At least until they got to the Super Bowl, that is.