AJ Brown’s top 4 trade destinations if the Eagles land a wide receiver this offseason

Every NFL offseason has its own lightning rod story. This year, that story he could focus on AJ Brown. The Philadelphia Eagles‘ physically dominant VR1 was one of the most terrifying matchup nightmares in the league. However, the fallout from Philadelphia’s sudden playoff exit shifted the conversation from contention to calculation. The friction within the building and the financial mechanics of a stellar roster have combined to create a scenario that once seemed unimaginable. What if the Eagles really did look into dealing Brown? If they do, the market would be immediate, aggressive, and fueled by contenders desperate for an alpha receiver.

Dominance and dysfunction

The Eagles’ 2025 campaign embodied a contradiction. They had historic success coupled with lingering tension. on paper, 11-6 record and the NFC East Crown signaled continued dominance. By repeating as division champs, Philadelphia accomplished something the franchise hadn’t done since Donovan McNabb’s early 2000s.

However, a structural imbalance was hidden beneath the production. Philly’s sales never found a consistent rhythm. She oscillated between explosive stretches and prolonged stagnation. Reports of philosophical disagreements between head coach Nick Sirianni and the Browns only added to the scrutiny. When the postseason arrived, those cracks widened. Hosting the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round, the Eagles fell 23-19 after a failed fourth-down late effort. That end crystallized both their competitiveness and their offensive incoherence.

The efficiency and decline of chemistry

From a raw production standpoint, Brown continued to deliver. His 78 receptions, 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns extended his streak to four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Context matters, however, and the efficiency markers told a sobering story.

His 12.9 yards per catch was a career low. Meanwhile, his 66.9 receiving yards per game marked his lowest performance since his rookie campaign. This is a receiver whose identity is built on explosive plays in chunks and a physical ball. That regression just stood out. League insiders reported that Brown “unhappy on a number of fronts.” It culminated in a visible sideline exchange with Sirianni during the playoff loss. The production remained, but the harmony seemed to be disturbed.

The reality of the contract

Financial mechanics further complicate the situation. Trading Brown before June 1 would have caused a staggering $43 million drop. That number alone would deter most organizations. However, Philadelphia is not most organizations.

They have fully established DeVonta Smith as a VR1 caliber talent. The Eagles are also consistently aggressive in asset management, GM Howie Roseman could prioritize historic trades over short-term issues. If Philadelphia believes offensive balance is its championship formula, moving Brown becomes a strategic calculation.

Here is a several possible trading partners.

Buffalo Bills

If Brown becomes available, Buffalo would be among the first franchises to select Philly’s front office. The Bills spent two seasons searching for the right edge alpha to pair with Josh Allen. Khalil Shakir led the team with just 719 receiving yards in 2025. That reflects depth, but not dominance.

Brown would immediately recalibrate Buffalo’s passing geometry. His physicality would require double coverage. That would free up Shakir to operate in space while returning vertical aggression to an offense that plateaued in January. With the Bills constantly knocking on the door to the Super Bowl, the addition of Brown could be the missing postseason accelerator.

New England Patriots

New England’s resurgence has been fueled by defense, structure and efficient quarterback play. However, explosive perimeter talent remains limited. League chatter suggests the Patriots are keeping a close eye on Brown’s situation. They also have cap flexibility and premium draft capital.

For a quarterback like Drake Maye, having a receiver like Brown provides schematic insulation. His contested catch dominance and yardage ability after contact would stabilize the passing game while spurring offensive growth. The Patriots also possess the surplus funds necessary to meet Philadelphia’s expected asking price. This makes them one of the few AFC teams that can pull off such a deal without depleting their roster.

New York Jets

The Jets represent a high-variance, high-reward destination. They have more than $83 million in projected space and plenty of seed capital. Additionally, New York has the financial and transactional ammunition to make a quick move.

Pairing Brown with Garrett Wilson would immediately create one of football’s most explosive receiver tandems. Wilson’s route prowess combined with Brown’s physical dominance would stretch defenses horizontally and vertically. For any quarterback, such a tandem could stretch the Jets’ competitive frame while turning an inconsistent offense into a weekly matchup nightmare.

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans enters the offseason looking to recalibrate its offensive identity. Chris Olave provides finesse and vertical elegance. However, the roster lacks a true bully-ball receiver capable of dictating leverage in coverage.

Brown would immediately fill that void. His presence would allow Olave to operate in favorable one-on-one matchups while increasing red zone efficiency. If Kellen Moore or a similar offensive architect were to impact the scheme, Brown’s physical route tree would become a cornerstone. Cap gymnastics will be required, of course. Yet New Orleans has never shied away from aggressive financial maneuvering.

The main decision is looming

Trading AJ Brown would be seismic for Philadelphia and the league’s competitive ecosystem. Buffalo would move closer to the playoffs. New England would get an offensive isolation. The Jets would gain star power. New Orleans would acquire a physical identity.

For the Eagles, the decision depends on a philosophical direction. If they believe that Barkley-led on-court dominance and Smith’s ascension can sustain contention, maximizing Brown’s trade value becomes rational. On the other hand, if they prioritize keeping one of the most feared receiver duos in football, the financial and competitive cost of parting ways may simply be too high.