Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has officially shut down the swirling trade rumors involving Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown. With speculation intensifying just days before the draft, especially following reports that teams like the New England Patriots had shown interest, Schefter stepped in to set the record straight: Brown isn’t going anywhere.
During a recent segment and subsequent reporting, Schefter emphasized that a trade involving A.J. Brown is “highly unlikely,” citing both logistical and financial reasons. Brown is under a lucrative three-year, $96 million contract extension he signed in 2024, which makes trading him an almost impossible task in terms of salary cap management. If Brown were to be moved after June 1, the Eagles would still incur a significant $16.4 million dead cap hit—something the organization has no interest in taking on.
More importantly, the Eagles see Brown as a core piece of their offensive identity. He remains one of the most productive wide receivers in the league and a vital target for quarterback Jalen Hurts. According to Schefter, the Eagles have fielded trade inquiries, but all have been “firmly rejected,” including those coming from wide receiver-needy teams like the Patriots.
Brown himself also added clarity to the situation, publicly stating, “I want to be here. It’s as simple as that,” reaffirming his commitment to Philadelphia. His comments line up with how the Eagles have handled the situation internally. Rather than entertain any sort of blockbuster trade, Philadelphia is focused on fortifying its current roster.
The Eagles are entering the 2025 draft with flexibility and resources. They hold 20 draft picks over the next two seasons, which positions them to be aggressive in other areas of need—such as offensive guard, EDGE rusher, and cornerback. Schefter mentioned the front office may look to trade for veteran players during the draft to bolster weak spots rather than offload any of their stars.
The A.J. Brown trade rumor mill seems to have been more about offseason noise than actual front-office strategy. It’s common this time of year for trade speculation to heat up—especially around marquee names—but Schefter’s comments have provided a definitive answer. Brown is not on the market, and the Eagles are not exploring any such move.
Ultimately, this situation highlights how teams protect their core talent while staying opportunistic about adding pieces elsewhere. Philadelphia’s window for contention is still wide open, and Brown figures to remain a central figure in their chase for another Super Bowl run. With the draft just days away, the Eagles are looking to build, not subtract.
For now, fans in Philadelphia can breathe easy knowing that A.J. Brown’s future is firmly rooted in midnight green, and the team is committed to surrounding him—and Hurts—with the talent needed to make a deep playoff run in 2025.
