A.J. Brown is set to be traded by the Philadelphia Eagles, with the team now financially able to move on from the star receiver after June 1.
What happened?
The Eagles have been engaging with multiple teams about a Brown trade since before the NFL Draft, with the New England Patriots showing the most interest.
Why it matters for A.J. Brown
Brown's role in Philadelphia's offense has been a source of frustration for the player, particularly last season.
The Giants, meanwhile, are working out multiple receivers, including Odell Beckham Jr, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Anthony Miller, and Braxton Berrios, as they look to add receiver help after losing Gunner Olszewski for the season.
What comes next?
The Eagles want a first-round pick in exchange for Brown, but the Patriots are unwilling to give up a 2027 first-round pick, and neither are other teams, according to multiple league sources.
The Giants are expected to bring Beckham to their facility on Monday, and a decision on his signing is expected soon, with the first NFL game of the 2026 season just 100 days away.
The Eagles' decision to trade Brown is likely due to his frustration with his role in the team's offense, and the team's desire to get market value for the player, said Howie Rosen, the Eagles' general manager.
On Monday, the Giants will work out Smith-Schuster, who is familiar with the team's offense, having played under Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in Kansas City last season.
Beckham, 33, wants to return to the team that drafted him in 2014 and has been working towards landing a contract offer and opportunity for weeks, attending the team's charity softball game over the weekend.
The Eagles' trade of Brown would have forced the team to carry a $43.4 million dead-money charge before June 1, but this charge shrinks to $16.3 million after June 1, making a trade more manageable, according to league sources.
The Patriots' interest in Brown is significant, but the team's unwillingness to give up a first-round pick may hinder a potential trade, with the Eagles seeking market value for the player.
The Giants' pursuit of Beckham and other receivers is a sign of the team's desire to strengthen its offense, particularly after losing Olszewski for the season, and with Malik Nabors still recovering from ACL surgery.
The NFL season is just around the corner, with the first game only 100 days away, and the Eagles and Giants are making significant roster decisions that will impact their chances of success, with A.J. Brown's future a major factor in these decisions.
The trade rumors surrounding Brown have been ongoing for some time, with the player's frustration with his role in the Eagles' offense a major factor, and the team's desire to get market value for him a key consideration, according to league sources.
The Giants' decision to sign Beckham or another receiver will have a significant impact on the team's offense, particularly with the loss of Olszewski and the uncertainty surrounding Nabors' recovery, and the team's ability to compete in the NFL season.
The Eagles' trade of Brown, if it happens, will be a significant move for the team, with the player's talent and experience a major loss, but the team's desire to get market value and strengthen its roster a key consideration, according to Howie Rosen, the Eagles' general manager.