Rumor: Eagles talked “real money” with free-agent WR before acquiring AJ Brown

Star power at the WR position doesn’t come around very often in Philadelphia.

The Eagles haven’t had a receiver eclipse 1,000 yards since Jeremy Maclin (eight years ago), while some would argue that there hasn’t been a true No. 1 option in this city since Terrell Owens.

That all figures to change this year after the team surrendered first and third-round picks to acquire Pro Bowl WR AJ Brown.

Brown wasn’t always the target, however, as Philadelphia pursued multiple veterans this offseason in hopes of bolstering the passing attack. After using first-round selections on receivers in each of the previous two drafts, GM Howie Roseman wanted to add proven talent this time around.

As previously reported, the Eagles were closing in on a deal for star WR Calvin Ridley before he was suspended for betting on NFL games. Once that trade fell through, Philly pivoted to the free-agent market.

According to NFL Insider Adam Caplan of Inside the Birds, Allen Robinson became the primary focus until LA got involved:

“After Calvin Ridley, it was going to be Allen Robinson. They were in pretty good, we had heard, but the Rams blew him out of the water. I would not say that the Robinson deal was close, but they talked real money. They were never in it for [Christian] Kirk because, like every team, when they had heard what his agent thought he was getting, they were never in. The Eagles have had, and every NFL team has done this, dozens of players in free agency over the years where they target a guy, then find out what the guy wants and end the discussion.”

Robinson eventually signed with the Rams on a three-year contract worth $46.5M, leaving Roseman scrambling again until he secured AJ Brown on Draft Day. The situation worked out for all parties involved as Brown was awarded a four-year, $100M extension upon arrival. The Eagles, who were third-to-last in WR yardage last year, now have a prototypical counterpart to rising star DeVonta Smith.

Brown has torn up the league over his first three seasons, totaling 185 receptions for nearly 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. Just before offseason workouts began, the ex-Titan was spotted catching passes from close friend Jalen Hurts. Now the two will be donning the same jersey in September.

AJ Brown straight bitched Chuck Clark, Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey and Patrick Queen all in the same play lol. pic.twitter.com/qpDAZojFnt
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) May 6, 2022