Patriots get AJ Brown, trade Eagles first and fifth picks

The New England Patriots have acquired star wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in a blockbuster trade, reuniting the player with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel. The deal, finalized this week, sends Brown to New England in exchange for a first-round and a fifth-round draft pick.

Brown, who spent the last three seasons with the Eagles, acknowledged in a recent podcast interview that he deliberately provided information to the media during his time in Philadelphia. He stated his intent was to create pressure to motivate the team, saying he felt it was acceptable to do so to push everyone to be better. The admission follows a 2025 season marked by visible frustration from Brown and reported tension within the Eagles organization.

The trade concludes a prolonged period of speculation about Brown’s future. In the same interview, Brown addressed his relationship with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, stating that while they are not as close as they once were, there is no bad blood. He attributed the change to people naturally growing apart over time and emphasized his continued support for Hurts’s success.

For the Patriots, the move is a significant offensive...