Eagles Buzz: ‘No subtance’ behind AJ Brown trade rumors

Welcome to the offseason, where NFL trade rumors get curated out of thin air.

While the Eagles are undergoing significant staff changes, the future of star WR AJ Brown has been a hot topic of conversation. Brown was visibly frustrated throughout Philadelphia’s historic end-of-season collapse, leading many to believe he could be on his way out.

AJ Brown and his Eagles running mate DeVonta Smith appeared on Wednesday’s episode of the Up & Adams Show and addressed various topics, including the former’s availability.

“Maybe they know something I don’t,” Brown said about the trade rumors. “I’ve been through this before. I’m a vet. I remain quiet

If something happens, I’ll be waiting by the phone. But if not, I’ll be right here. I’m not really worried about it. If it is, if it ain’t, I don’t know. I think you just gotta be prepared, it’s a business.”

Eagles WR A.J. Brown addresses the recent trade rumors 👀

"I've been through this before, I'm a vet…"@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/36tYyLyHoz

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) January 31, 2024

Brown’s words have drawn some criticism, with people claiming he didn’t confidently shoot down the rumors. My response to those people: Brown knows those decisions are out of his control.

The Titans and then-head coach Mike Vrabel once told Brown he wouldn’t be moved in 2022 before being traded to Philadelphia just three weeks later. That whole process likely taught Brown to never get too comfortable in this business.

Luckily for Brown and the Eagles, there’s ‘no substance’ behind these trade rumors, a league source confirmed to The Liberty Line. GMs have poked around to see if Brown was obtainable, but one agent stated ‘there’s a better chance of reviving dinosaurs’ than seeing Brown traded elsewhere.

It isn’t hard to see why.

For starters, Brown’s contract would make it difficult to move him even if Philly wanted to.

Brown has three years remaining on his four-year, $100M contract, carrying cap hits of $12.4M, $26.5M, and $41.5M over the next three years respectively. The Eagles would eat a whopping $41.4M dead cap hit in 2024 if they traded him this offseason — not happening.

The thought becomes even more asinine when you look at Brown’s production. Since coming to Philadelphia, the All-Pro receiver has caught 194 passes for 2,952 yards (most in a player’s first two seasons with the Eagles) and 18 TDs.

Philly may have sputtered offensively to end the year, but AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith have given the Eagles their best WR duo in franchise history. I don’t envision the organization splitting them up anytime soon, and neither does the NFL.

“Man, we’ve grown so close. I’m glad he’s here,” Smith said about Brown. “I hope the media doesn’t try to break us up like they’ve been doing.”

Mandatory Credit: AP Photo | Chris Szagola