Patriots trade for Eagles receiver A.J. Brown

After months of anticipation, the Patriots have traded for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

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In exchange for Brown the Patriots sent a 2028 first-round pickand a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Eagles.

It’s no surprise the deal happened Monday, the date in which trading Brown became much more financially palatable for the Eagles.

If the Eagles had traded Brown before June 1, they would have absorbed $43.5 million in dead money and lost $20.1 million in salary-cap space. By waiting, they instead created just $16.4 million in dead money and freed up $7 million in cap room.

At the time of the deal, Brown’s cap number was set to be $23.4 million for the upcoming season. His original contract extended through 2029.

Brown, who will turn 29 June 30, reunites with a number of familiar faces in New England. He played for coach Mike Vrabel for three seasons in Tennessee. Wide receivers coach Todd Downing also served as Brown’s offensive coordinator for one season.

Over the past few weeks, several Patriots players also weighed in on the possibility of the trade and spoke glowingly of Brown.

“He’s a true No. 1 receiver in this league,” said safety Kevin Byard, who played against Brown in practice for three seasons in Tennessee and continues to train with him. “You still have to make sure you have the safety over the top of A.J., which obviously opens things up for a lot of other players.”

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Defensive tackle Milton Williams, who overlapped with Brown for three seasons in Philadelphia, called him a “monster on the field,” but also highlighted his presence in the locker room.

“Great dude,” Williams said. “Holding guys accountable, holding himself accountable. I feel like that’s everything you want in a player of his caliber.”

Brown (6 feet 1 inch, 226 pounds) instantly elevates the Patriots wide receiver room, providing quarterback Drake Maye with an elite, albeit aging, No. 1 option. Brown should serve as the top weapon, with free agent acquisition Romeo Doubs filling the No. 2 role.

Last season, Brown caught 78 passes on 121 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. His best statistical season came in 2022, when he caught 88 passes on 145 targets for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns. Brown has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in four straight seasons.

According to Pro Football Focus, 742 of Brown’s 843 snaps during the regular season last year came out wide. During his more productive seasons, however, he also took significant snaps out of the slot, a testament to his ability to line up in multiple spots.

The earliest the media could see Brown at practice is Tuesday. The Patriots also have another organized activity practice scheduled for June 9, in addition to mandatory minicamp June 15-17.

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The Patriots and Eagles are scheduled to have joint practices in August.