Eagles set deadline for decision on $96m A.J. Brown trade with Super Bowl contender circling

The clock is ticking for A.J. Brown.

Despite four-straight 1,000-yard seasons, and a Super Bowl ring on his finger, the explosive wideout has made his frustrations with the Philadelphia Eagles clear.

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From cryptic social media posts, to openly labeling the 2025 offense as a ‘s*** show’ and refusing to apologize, many believe Brown’s time in Philly is long up.

But speculation over his future is nothing new, and has been dragging for months.

Decision time, it seems, is now fast approaching.

When will the Eagles make A.J. Brown decision?

Brown is one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, and agreed a three-year, $96 million extension less than 24 months ago.

Should he depart, he would leave a massive hole in Philly’s offense, but general manager Howie Roseman has not shut the door on the 28-year-old being obtainable for the right price.

According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the franchise could make a decision on moving him on in the next few days.

McLane wrote on Friday: “A decision on Brown will seemingly be made sooner — as in the next 10 days ahead of the official start of the ‘legal tampering’ period on March 9 — rather than later.

“At least that’s the sense sources close to several Eagles with uncertain futures have gotten from their conversations with the team this week.”

The Inquirer reporter added that Philadelphia will likely want, at minimum, a second-round pick for Brown.

Roseman, though, is expected to set any initial price much higher, with one NFL executive hearing the Eagles were seeking both a first and second-round pick for their star.

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McLane’s timeline makes sense, as the team will want to move quickly to replace Brown, meaning a decision should be made ahead of the opening of the legal negotiation period for free agency on March 9.

As well as demanding a high price, Philly’s front office could also seek to delay any trade until after June 1, when the cap consequences would be split over two years, instead of being fully absorbed in 2026.

Where could A.J. Brown land if he leaves the Eagles?

Should Brown be put up for trade, he will not be short of suitors.

In this day and age, teams around the NFL are aware that elite receivers, who are still in the prime of their careers, rarely become available.

The Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills have all been linked as a hypothetical landing spot for Brown — as have the New England Patriots.

Mike Vrabel’s team were beaten comfortably in Super Bowl LX earlier this month, and the head coach could look to a man he knows well to help them go one step further next season.

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Brown played under Vrabel for three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, and the pair share a good relationship.

At the NFL Combine, the Pats HC hinted that his team will look to make improvements to their roster this offseason.

“I think that we’ll look at everything that we can possibly look at to add to our roster,” Vrabel said told reporters.

“There’s a lot of back-and-forth. Taking on compensation. And so, I’m sure there’ll be a lot of opportunities for us to talk about trades, not only this week, but as we prepare and get closer to the draft.”

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Philly HC can’t guarantee A.J. Brown return

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, meanwhile, has insisted there is an ‘expectation’ that Brown wants to stay in Philly, but added that there are no guarantees he will suit up for the team in 2026.

“Will A.J. be here next season? I think we’re still in a spot, like, I can’t guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season,” he said last week.

“I’m thinking I’m going to be the coach next season, but you can’t guarantee anything past tomorrow.”

Brown’s future, then, remains unclear.

But as attention turns to free agency, the Eagles will decide what to do with their star wideout in the coming days.

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