When it comes to the NFL trade deadline, many look for causation and correlation. AJ Brown is not happy with his current team, the Philadelphia Eagles, after tallying just 19 receptions in five games. The New England Patriots are looking to buy some talent as a potential playoff push looms for the 3-2 team with the easiest schedule in the NFL. Causation, meet correlation.
Now all this union needs is some personal ties. Oh look, we’ve got that too. The year is 2019, head coach Mike Vrabel is fresh off a 9-7 season with the Tennessee Titans in his first year as an NFL head coach. With the 51st pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select… AJ Brown.
Brown would go on to record back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in his first and second years in the league. But when it was time for Brown to get paid his desired $100 million extension, Vrabel flipped him for a first and third rounder.
Now with Brown more disgruntled than ever, taking to Instagram to post cryptic messages about his usage on the year, the Patriots have emerged as a “top trade destination” for the 28-year-old three-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion.
Insider Reveals Thoughts On Plausibility Of Reunion
Albert Breer, New England Patriots insider for Sports Illustrated and public fan of the team, went on Patriots Pregame Live to discuss whether or not a reunion is really possible.
“I don’t think it’ll happen in-season,” Breer said. “I think the Eagles have sort of chalked this up to part of the deal with A.J. Brown. When you have a receiver of that stature, sometimes you’re going to deal with some of these things, which they are.”
It’s certainly understandable to expect a team like Philadelphia to shrug off Brown’s antics. However, in a season in which the Eagles’ offense is struggling like we haven’t seen before, it is not insane to think a shake up could be coming.
“They’re very clearly in a championship window. So, the idea of peeling a guy like this off at a juncture in the calendar when you’re not going to be able to properly replace him while you’re pursuing a championship just makes no sense,” Breer continued.
“Now, is there a possibility that it happens after the 2025 season in March or April? I could definitely see that when the Eagles would have more wherewithal to replace him.”
To that I say, replace what?
AJ Brown Disappointing Under New OC
The Eagles have employed four different offensive coordinators in the last four years. Each of the previous four allowed Brown to exceed 1,000 yards on the season. With last year being his lowest recorded yardage total since getting to Philly.
However, under new OC Kevin Patullo, Brown has 100 less receiving yards than Devonta Smith and is barely exceeding the totals of his tight end and running backs. The team is ranked 31st in passing yards, in front of only the Tennessee Titans and behind the disaster that is the Cincinnati Bengals.
So when Breer says they “won’t be able to replace him” I’m not sure what production he is talking about. Kayshon Boutte has more yards on the season than he does. Jerry Jeudy is dwarfing him.
I agree that things have not reached it’s boiling point in Philadelphia, but if it does, the Patriots have the ties and all the motivation in the world to go out and get AJ- who famously grew up a Patriots fan.
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