I'd also just say, tampering happens all the time. Specifically at the combine and they don't even really try to hide it. They just get around it because it's really hard to prove tampering and you would have to be a complete idiot to put something in writing or enough tangible proof to get in trouble for it.

34 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I think he ends up getting a 1st but it's not going to be a 1st and 3rd plus more like was being floated around during the start of free agency. That was the price of doing a deal before 6/1. After 6/1, I think that changes things and Howie loses some leverage and comes down on the price.

I could see that. I think it’s a 1st and probably something like a 4th that could become a 3rd or 5th that can become a 4th if he meets certain criteria or something like ability to pick swap of New England has a better 2nd in 2027 then the eagles

What’s realistic trade compensation to expect in AJ deal?

5 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Tampering is essentially contact between any coach/FO member of one team contacting a player under contract on another team when it comes to issues like recruitment or luring them away from the original team. That's why I said the bigger tampering issue and what really should be investigated is what exactly Vrabel is/was texting AJ Brown. If it really was just checking in on a former mentor/player/friend it's fine. But as soon as it crosses the line of something like Vrabel saying "we'd love to have you as a Patriot" or "I'd love to reunite with you" that's tampering.

I think even if it's something like AJ telling Vrabel that he never gets texts from Sirianni and Vrabel responding that he texts his players regularly and he would never let a big star WR on Read, it would be a violation of the policy. This is the policy:

(4) Public/Private Statements. Any public or private statement of interest, qualified or unqualified, in another club’s player to that player’s agent or representative, or to a member of the news media, is a violation of this Anti-Tampering Policy. (Example of a prohibited comment: "He’s an excellent player, and we’d very much like to have him if he were available, but another club holds his rights.”) In addition, speculation by a club owner, executive, or employee on whether a player under contract to a second club may play for a third club in the future may negatively impact the relationship between the player and the club currently holding his rights. If any such comments are found to have adversely affected that relationship, a finding of tampering can result. All clubs should be aware that improper disclosure of confidential trade discussions with another club may be a violation of this section on prohibited public statements.

It does seem like the tampering issue gives the Eagles significant leverage. Both because they seem to have a case against Vrabel and his texts with AJ and whatever he disclosed to Russini.

Just now, Texas Eagle said:

What’s realistic trade compensation to expect in AJ deal?

Drake Maye and their 1st and 2nd round picks next season.

5 minutes ago, Texas Eagle said:

What’s realistic trade compensation to expect in AJ deal?

Don't know

5 minutes ago, Texas Eagle said:

What’s realistic trade compensation to expect in AJ deal?

me personally I would take a first and a second

21 hours ago, RememberTheKoy said:

Actually did. It played a huge part in them winning the division. Wentz then suffers a career altering concussion in the wild card game. Team then drafts Jalen Hurts in the second round. The rest is history with the Super Bowls and consecutive playoff wins as we are in the beat era of Eagles football ever.

If Greg Ward doesn't make that catch then none of that happens.

Also that was the last Eagles TD ever against the Washington Redskins.

No it wasn't. Nigel Bradham had a 48 Yd Fumble Return for a TD to end the game. They won 37-27.

20 minutes ago, Texas Eagle said:

What’s realistic trade compensation to expect in AJ deal?

A first, 4th, and a night with Dianni Russini.

It's gonna be fun watching AJ Brown crash and burn in New England. As they find out soon, they may be getting past his prime Alshon Jeffery here (by 2027 season at latest). If AJ is so good, like Patriots think, they may have a false sense of security in giving up the 2027 picks. If I'm Howie, I go for the 2028 draft compensation, as by then the AJ Brown honeymoon will be long over and probably be dogging it or hurt. By then he will be pouting and trying to sucker them for his bi-annual request for a contract extension, as he plays 10 games a year for them. This will not end well for the Patriots. If Howie gets a 1st rounder for him, he has pulled off one of his best con jobs to date.

20 minutes ago, Texas Eagle said:

What’s realistic trade compensation to expect in AJ deal?

Closest reference we have is the Waddle trade to Denver (first, 3rd and a 4th pick swap). Brown is the better player but it's different teams. Different times of year. More smoke about him not wanting to be here.

I plan to start participating again. I took the playoff loss hard and had to stay away for a few months (other than the occasional hours til the draft posts). Still haven't bothered to do the special teams data from the playoff game. I had hoped to get it done before the playoffs but I'm still not in the mood.

I don't want to trade A.J. I don't want to trade McKee. I want to draft OL, TE, DE, S in the first four rounds in whatever order. But we gotta hit those positions.

Later...

1 minute ago, jojodancer said:

It's gonna be fun watching AJ Brown crash and burn in New England. As they find out soon, they may be getting past his prime Alshon Jeffery here (by 2027 season at latest). If AJ is so good like Patriots think, they may have a false sense of security in giving up the 2027 picks. If I'm Howie, I go for the 2028 draft compensation, as by then the AJ Brown honeymoon will be long over and probably be dogging it or hurt. By then he will be pouting and trying to sucker them for his bi-annual request for a contract extension, as he plays 10 games a year for them. This will not end well for the Patriots. If Howie gets a 1st rounder for him, he has pulled off one of his best con jobs to date.

I can't wait until this clown is finally off of the team and getting to watch his little cuck fans who claim to be Eagles fan have their meltdowns is going to be epic.

Im watching a replay of the Arizona State / Texas Tech game on youtube and our guy Max ( I refuse to spell his last name ) had an okay game.

He did well the times he faced off against David Bailey but one thing I noticed is that he has a tendency to block kind of high around the defenders shoulders which led him to be thrown off a couple of blocks. . I also know he's young and can be coached up but I hope that's a habit he can break.

My thought is Howie has all the leverage in this. If AJ wants a trade, at the least he can say, Imdiscussed but the offers weren’t commiserate with your value or what it would cost this team. Make no mistake, trading AJ with his current cap hit demands a premium cost. Don’t get that, go with the original plan and trade him next year. What is AJ gonna do? Holdout? That gets a mandatory fine payable to the team. Dog it, that gets a suspension and could impact his remaining guarantee. That would also tremendously hurt any leverage he might have for an extension. (In other words, an extremely dumb move). I do think the Pats tried media manipulation. I also think that if they did try to squash the pictures, that is detrimental to the league and should be punished.

49 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Just my hunch but I think they ultimately settle on a 2028 first and maybe some type of 2027 swap. Either way, I agree that picks in 2027 or 2028 are ultimately better than getting anything now in 2026. Howie probably preferred that anyway and has the job stability he can make a trade for a 2028 pick and not lose sleep.

No way. The time value of draft picks is 1 round per year, meaning a 2027 first round pick is worth a 2026 second and a 2028 first would be worth a 2026 third.

For me to accept a 2028 first instead of their 2027 pick, I’d need their 2027 second round pick as well. No pick swap. Just flat out AJ for their 2nd next year and 1st in 2028.

I want the ammo to go after Jeremiah Smith next draft.

10 minutes ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

I plan to start participating again. I took the playoff loss hard and had to stay away for a few months (other than the occasional hours til the draft posts). Still haven't bothered to do the special teams data from the playoff game. I had hoped to get it done before the playoffs but I'm still not in the mood.

I don't want to trade A.J. I don't want to trade McKee. I want to draft OL, TE, DE, S in the first four rounds in whatever order. But we gotta hit those positions.

Later...

Good to see you. Watching Elliott the last two years, do you believe he can be fixed?

Trading Brown is after Jun 1, after the draft already completed. If we get picks for the trade, they will be next season's. Not the same value as this year draft. Will the league allows the picks for this year, but the trade after Jun 1.

9 minutes ago, TEW said:

No way. The time value of draft picks is 1 round per year, meaning a 2027 first round pick is worth a 2026 second and a 2028 first would be worth a 2026 third.

For me to accept a 2028 first instead of their 2027 pick, I’d need their 2027 second round pick as well. No pick swap. Just flat out AJ for their 2nd next year and 1st in 2028.

I want the ammo to go after Jeremiah Smith next draft.

Not saying what I want, just what I expect it to be. The holdup already was reportedly Patriots would give up #31 this year but Howie wanted their 2027 1st. To break that impasse would be a 2028 first. Howie isn't shy about trading for future picks either. We haven't even used the Reddick pick yet and he was traded in 2024.

6 minutes ago, Penn7980 said:

Trading Brown is after Jun 1, after the draft already completed. If we get picks for the trade, they will be next season's. Not the same value as this year draft. Will the league allows the picks for this year, but the trade after Jun 1.

Next years picks are more valuable than this years.

1 minute ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Next years picks are more valuable than this years.

Bingo, and that's the point that is being missed above. Most years a current draft's picks are worth more than a future year. This draft is trash though and next years is supposed to be (not only better) a really good draft. We aren't even taking equal value, next years picks are more valuable. Also chances are the Patriots will be picking better than 31st in each round. I said last night I would prefer a 2027 2nd to the Patriots 31st pick this week.

I'm just happy there is one team in the NFL that wants AJ Brown and his act. And feel like he's the missing link of a championship. 😅. It's a true blessing to have this done by June 1st and never look back again. I will drive him to the airport...or even to New England.

I think Howie will be pretty adamant about a 2027 1st. I don't think he'll budge off that. For a couple reasons. For one, it's a loaded QB draft and there is a possibility they could be looking at a QB in next year's draft. Also, SB losers typically don't fare as well the following season historically, Howie will know that and will want their regression season pick when they have a first place schedule. It's felt for some time even back in February 2027 picks felt like they made the most sense, Berman and McLane have been saying that as well that Howie wants 2027 picks. I think it's possible that any other picks included could be 2028, maybe the Patriots don't want to gut too much draft capital in one year. But I'd be pretty surprised if Howie settled for a pick two years away. Would be a bad look frankly.

2 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

I'm just happy there is one team in the NFL that wants AJ Brown and his act. And feel like he's the missing link of a championship. 😅. It's a true blessing to have this done by June 1st and never look back again. I will drive him to the airport...or even to New England.

I couldn't agree more. I'm going to throw a party when he is gone.

Honestly, I think the trade is basically done already. Schefter has been the one national reporter with credibility to sit on the fence the entire time. He even leaned to Brown staying multiple times. For him to suddenly switch and not only say a trade is likely but mention a specific team makes me think he knows something.