The New England Patriots are in the market for wide receiver help. From veteran free agents to young draft picks or trade targets, nearly every receiver has been connected to the Patriots in some way. One of the latest rumors had gained traction over the weekend, but was shut down completely Monday morning by a well-respected NFL Insider. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles have not, and will not, consider trading superstar wide receiver A.J. Brown despite the trade rumors. Schefter laid it out clearly in the article: “Contrary to internet speculation, the Eagles are not trading A.J. Brown. The star wide receiver signed a three-year extension a year ago this week.” A large reason why these rumors began spreading was due to the WEEI 93.7 FM radio show, WEEI Afternoons, having Paul Fitzgerald from The Townie News in Massachusetts on discussing a trade rumor he heard.
Fitzgerald proposed this trade rumor back by a “highly reliable source” that had just called him, with a trade scenario that would be a major blockbuster on draft night. It would have the Eagles sending Brown and draft pick compensation to the Patriots and getting the fourth overall pick in return, with the caveat that Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter was still on the board.
The rumor spread through both fanbases, and for good reason. Brown is among the best wide receivers in the NFL, and he’d be a massive addition for the Patriots offense. The three-time Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champion was rumored to be on the move, but Schefter shut those rumors down completely, closing the door on any potential Brown trade. Schefter shutting this rumor down shouldn’t of needed to happen for talks to quiet down. If the Eagles did trade Brown, they would be left with nearly $59 million in dead money, with nowhere near that number in saving. It was incredibly unrealistic to begin with, but the contract alone is enough to stop any trade from happening. There are plenty of ways that Mike Vrabel can add to the wide receiver room in New England. But, after Schefter shut down the Brown trade rumors, the Patriots fans will have to look elsewhere for their future number one wide receiver.