Pats Nation, we need to talk about the biggest rumor swirling around Foxborough right now. A.J. Brown to the Patriots is very much a real thing — but there's a massive catch.
The Eagles are reportedly asking for a first-round pick AND a second-round pick for the All-Pro receiver. Multiple sources have described Philadelphia's asking price as "unserious," and honestly, it's hard to disagree. That's a steep price even for a player of Brown's caliber.
Here's what makes this intriguing though: Brown has a real connection to Mike Vrabel from their time together in Tennessee. And from a cap perspective, his deal would only carry a $7.04M cap hit if traded — that's an absolute steal for a true WR1.
Drake Maye desperately needs a bonafide number-one target, and Brown would instantly transform this offense. But not at the cost of gutting our draft capital. Eliot Wolf has built this roster through smart drafting, and we trust him to hold firm.
Stay patient, Pats Nation. If the price comes down, this could be the blockbuster move that puts us over the top.
Based on reporting from NBC Sports Boston