A.J. Brown’s Trade Rumors and the Eagle's Dilemma
Around nine months ago, A.J. Brown caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl 59, winning his first career title as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Not even a year later, he has become the subject of constant trade rumors.
Brown, the 28-year-old wide receiver with five 1,000-yard seasons to his name, hasn't had a 2025 season up to his standards. Through seven games, he's been fairly quiet, with Philadelphia struggling to find an offensive identity over the first stretch of its Super Bowl defense.
Along the way, Brown has made some head-scratching comments and social media posts that indicate he's unhappy with his role in Philadelphia. Naturally, that has made him a heavily discussed player for the 2025 trade deadline - but would Howie Roseman and the Eagles actually move on from their offensive star?
Here's what's known about the chances of the Eagles trading A.J. Brown, and why the speculation has picked up throughout 2025.
The Trade Deadline and A.J. Brown
As the trade deadline has approached, one of the best players rumored to potentially be on the move has been Brown, the Eagles' WR1. There have been some conflicting reports on Brown - most suggest the Eagles will keep him as a top weapon for Jalen Hurts, even if a trade has been considered somewhat of a possibility.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Oct. 25 that the Eagles are "not expected" to trade Brown, although "teams are still eyeing" the receiver. Schefter also reported that the Eagles "would be willing to listen to any trade offer" but it would take a "blockbuster offer" for them to make the move.
Another report from The Athletic's Diana Russini suggested that while the Eagles "continue to insist they have no plans to trade Brown," executives around the league continue to believe there is a chance of a deal, even if it takes a lot of firepower.
NBC's Mike Florio said on Oct. 29 that "when you look a little deeper, it sure looks like the Eagles are willing, if not eager, to get phone calls about A.J. Brown."
"Something's been going on there," Florio said. "He's a source of issues, whether he's right or wrong, frustrations that he's admitted to."
Contract and Frustrations
Brown signed a $96 million extension in the 2024 offseason that keeps him under contract with the Eagles through the 2029 season; he's voiced his commitment to the franchise on various occasions. Still, trade talks have surrounded him.
A Brown trade would appear unlikely, given the added drama it would bring to Philadelphia as a top NFC contender, disrupting a major portion of the team in the middle of the season. But it's not far-fetched to consider Brown's struggles and other antics becoming too much for the Eagles, with plenty of teams likely interested in the three-time All-Pro selection.
The Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers are among the squads that have been mentioned as trade fits for Brown.
Why Would the Eagles Trade A.J. Brown?
There is a surprisingly growing list of reasons why it would make sense for the Eagles to trade Brown, especially to an AFC team where he wouldn't haunt them often. For one, he has struggled to get involved in the 2025 offense after Kevin Patullo took over as offensive coordinator.
Through his first seven games of the season, Brown is averaging a career-low 56.4 yards per game. He's had three games with under 30 yards, although his production picked up in Weeks 7 and 8. With many mouths to feed in Philadelphia's offense and an offensive identity still being developed after a run-heavy 2024, Brown has not produced up to his elite averages.
He's expressed frustrations with quiet outings multiple times already this season. Most recently, after Philadelphia's Week 7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, he posted to Instagram with the caption, "Using me but not using me." Brown had a season-high 121 yards in that game.
Social Media and Personal Struggles
Brown also made a social media post after Week 4 quoting scripture that read: "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." Afterwards, he told reporters that he let his frustrations "boil over," but the post "truly wasn't directed at anyone in the building."
"The tweet wasn't directed at anyone because I am listened to," Brown said, per The Athletic. "Like I said, I have an open communication with my coaches. ... I want that pressure, I put it on myself, and I work hard for it. And so, and that's what the … misconstrued, whatever perspective."
Brown sat out in Week 8 due to a hamstring injury, causing more trade speculation despite the wide receiver reportedly having a legitimate ailment that sidelined him from practice. Per Schefter, there is a "realistic chance" Brown would return from his injury by Week 10, following the Eagles' bye week.
In that Week 8 game without Brown, Philadelphia scored a season-high 38 points against the New York Giants, with Devonta Smith totaling 84 yards and Barkley posting 150 yards and two touchdowns. That success without Brown only added fuel to the trade speculation.
Relationship with Jalen Hurts
Brown's outspoken personality when it comes to getting the ball is also nothing new. There have been multiple points in his Eagles tenure where he's sparked headlines for his social media posts or words - in fact, just days after winning the Super Bowl, he posted to Instagram that he "thought my hard work would be justified by winning it all," but "it wasn't," detailing his desire to dominate games, something he hasn't gotten to do as often in 2025.
In an Oct. 29 story from The Athletic's Brooks Kubena, Brown described the feeling he loves of repeatedly "coming through for my team," which is why "it's frustrating at times" and "people really misunderstand me as a player." He added that "obviously, I want to win. That's the main goal. But I want to help."
Performance Stats
Brown has led the Eagles in receiving ever season since joining the team in 2022. Right now, that would change; Devonta Smith's 588 yards lead Philadelphia entering Week 9, although Brown did miss one game.
Brown is on-pace for his second-lowest receiving yards output, right around 903 yards. His 13.6 yards per catch would also be a career-low. In his last two games, Brown has picked up his pace though, with 80 yards against the Giants, then 121 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings.
Here's a look at his full 2025 numbers:
- Games: 7
- Targets: 51
- Receptions: 29
- Yards: 395
- AVG: 13.6
- TDs: 3