Mike ReissMar 31, 2026, 12:54 PM ETCloseMike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.Follow on XMultiple Authors
Graziano: Easier to trade A.J. Brown after June 1 (0:50)Dan Graziano explains why the Eagles are likely to resume discussions over A.J. Brown’s trade after June 1. (0:50)
PHOENIX — With speculation continuing to swirl that the Eagles could trade wide receiver A.J. Brown, with the Patriots a top suitor, New England coach Mike Vrabel didn’t rule out the possibility Tuesday.
Philadelphia is financially incentivized to wait until at least June 1 to officially strike a trade. The dead cap hit is more than $40 million if it trades Brown before then, compared to around $20 million after.
Furthermore, Brown played for Vrabel with the Titans from 2019 to 2021. On Tuesday, speaking generally and not specific to Brown, Vrabel noted that past connections like that are valuable to him.
Earlier in March, the Patriots released leading receiver Stefon Diggs, creating a hole near the top of their depth chart. They signed former Green Bay receiver Romeo Doubs as a potential go-to option for quarterback Drake Maye, but as Vrabel noted Tuesday, the team remains open to bolstering the position.
At the same time, Vrabel mentioned other returning receivers on the roster — a group including Kayshon Boutte, DeMario “Pop” Douglas and 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams.
As for replacing Diggs’ 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, Vrabel noted it’s too early to say how that production might get redistributed.
Graziano: Easier to trade A.J. Brown after June 1 (0:50)Dan Graziano explains why the Eagles are likely to resume discussions over A.J. Brown’s trade after June 1. (0:50)
Dan Graziano explains why the Eagles are likely to resume discussions over A.J. Brown’s trade after June 1. (0:50)
Mike ReissMar 31, 2026, 12:54 PM ETCloseMike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.Follow on XMultiple Authors
CloseMike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.Follow on X
“So anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do.”
One reason speculation on a possible deal continues to percolate is the financial implications.