New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is fueling new AJ Brown trade rumors over his latest comments. According to Pro Football Network, Vrabel came on the “The Greg Hill Show” where the show’s host brought up Brown reading a book on the sidelines during the Eagles wild-card win over the Packers. The head coach responded perfectly, “Maybe if you provide a free book on the sidelines, you might be able to get a certain wide receiver here.” Vrabel claims Brown is looking for a way out of Philadelphia which may stir the pot he’ll do what he can to make a trade offer for the superstar wideout.
Originally selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the former three-time Pro Bowler came into the league building a strong relationship with Vrabel in Tennessee. Still, later the organization traded him during the 2022 NFL Draft, which left the former Titan head coach fuming in anger. However, the heartbreak came long before the Titans got Brown in the draft since he wanted to join the Patriots but now it looks like it could happen this upcoming offseason. Browns’ close relationship with Vrabel and his childhood team the Patriots makes the deal too sweet for him to pass up this opportunity.
However, the wide receiver is still under a long-term contract in Philadephia since signing his extension this past offseason. Brown was the subject of these rumors before and there’s no chance of them going away anytime soon. The Eagles are still in the playoff race but money might not mean anything to him anymore since he already got the contract from the team.
AJ Brown is reading a book on the sideline?
FOX pic.twitter.com/jQGv8smD9N
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 13, 2025
Mike Vrabel Fuels AJ Brown Trade Rumors – Ravens, Chargers Also Fits?
Hello Old Friend?
The bottom line is that rookie quarterback Drake Maye needs more wide receivers despite the Patriots having a ton of them on the roster. After releasing Tyquan Thornton in 2024, the Patriots might do a clean sweep to make room for Brown. Perhaps, they could trade at least two playmakers such as Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas in exchange for the superstar wide receiver. Since the Eagles see if Brown becomes a locker-room distraction similar to what Diontae Johnson has been, then they might not have much of a choice.
All of this is just speculation but the Patriots have a bright future Vrabel makes the right decisions to improve the passing game for Maye. It shouldn’t surprise if Brown requests for a trade since they’re not targeting him much in Jalen Hurts’ passing attack after being targeted just three times.
Other Fits
The reality is that at least two contenders will be competitive this upcoming offseason to make a superstar trade happen. The Baltimore Ravens need a new wide receiver since they haven’t been able to find one since releasing Odell Beckham Jr. after one year. Diontae Johnson stepping in didn’t help while they had to embrace Lamar Jackson to become dependent on Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor since Zay Flowers has been battling an injury. While Flowers’ injury is nothing too serious, the Ravens can’t afford to miss any playing time from these three receivers.
Perhaps, Brown’s requesting a trade could intrigue the Ravens to make an explosive trade happen to give some bolstering opposite of Flowers. However, the Los Angeles Chargers are the ones who have the leverage with the salary cap this upcoming March. Rookie Ladd McConkey is constructing himself to be a long-term answer while Quentin Johnstion is still a shell of his former self in 2023. If Jim Harbaugh is able to pull off this trade, he should since it will be a significant upgrade over DJ Chark and Joshua Palmer who will become free agents either way in March.
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