The A.J. Brown saga is creeping toward the June 1 finish line, and the latest reporting from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler suggests the Eagles' return is going to be solid, but not the haul Philadelphia originally hoped for.
Appearing on 97.5 The Fanatic with John Marks, Fowler said he'd be "surprised" if the Patriots parted with anything more than a single first-round pick for the All-Pro receiver, and indicated that the framework of a deal is likely already in place.
"My best guess is that they probably already agreed to something loosely. They're probably getting a 1. Maybe a future 1, maybe it's a 2028. I don't think they'll get more than that, I think that would be the max at this point. I'd be surprised.", Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
Less Than the Original Ask
The reporting represents a clear step down from where Howie Roseman started this negotiation. NFL Network previously reported the Eagles were targeting a Quinnen Williams-type package, the deal the Jets sent to Dallas at the 2025 trade deadline, which included a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Per Fowler, that price tag isn't materializing.
"Philly once upon a time hoped for a 1 and a 2. I just don't see that happening. Maybe they can get creative and swap some mid-to-late round picks to sweeten it up."
Fowler added he hasn't heard any indication a veteran player would be included in the package, and while New England could theoretically part with one of its receivers, "Philly's pretty set there."
The Market Is One Team Deep
The biggest reason Philadelphia's leverage has eroded: there are no other bidders driving the price up.
"Is there another team that gets involved here? I have not found one. It was rumored that the Chiefs once upon a time, I was told no. The Rams we know looked into it. I don't know if it got to a serious level, but it definitely was an inquiry and that didn't go anywhere."
Without a second team to bid against the Patriots, the Eagles are essentially negotiating with themselves. Fowler noted that if another team did re-enter the conversation, Philadelphia could potentially squeeze out more value, but that scenario looks unlikely as the calendar pushes toward June 1.
Why the Eagles Are Ready to Move On
The front office has spent the entire offseason building a contingency plan around a Brown departure. The Eagles signed veterans Dontayvion Wicks and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown in free agency, and used their first-round pick on USC wideout Makai Lemon, three additions that signaled the receiver room was about to look very different in 2026.
The financial mechanics also explain the timing. By designating Brown as a post-June 1 trade, the Eagles can spread his $43.5 million dead cap hit over two seasons. Brown's 2026 dead cap charge drops to roughly $16 million, with the remainder accelerating onto the 2027 books.
The Bottom Line
Fowler's reporting lines up with what Adam Schefter said earlier this month on The Pat McAfee Show, that the trade is "still on track" and expected to be finalized on or before June 1. The only real question left is the exact shape of the compensation.
If Fowler is right, the Eagles will walk away with a first-round pick, likely a 2028 selection, and maybe a Day 3 pick swap. It's not the franchise-altering return Philadelphia was reportedly chasing earlier this spring, but it gets a $32 million cap commitment off the books while Howie Roseman continues his retool around Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and the new-look pass-catching group.
The next two weeks should bring clarity.
