Howie Roseman explains why the Eagles traded A.J. Brown

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman on Monday answered questions about the A.J. Brown trade.

By Dave Zangaro • Published June 1, 2026

After months of speculation, the Eagles on Monday afternoon finally traded A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

And about a half hour after the trade became official, general manager Howie Roseman spoke to Eagles reporters to explain the move.

Why did the Eagles trade Brown?

"I think that when we looked at the totality of the circumstances and having the conversations we had with him,” Roseman said, "felt like where we were, where we were going, where he was, that if we could find something that achieved our goals of getting a first-round pick going forward here in the near future, getting the money back to spend on other players on our team and other teams, and it was a win-win situation based on where he was and how he felt, we were open to that.”

Let’s unpack that why a little more.

The Eagles didn’t enter this offseason with some mission to trade their star receiver but they ultimately decided to do so for a few reasons. Through conversations with the team after the season and during the offseason, Brown expressed a desire for a fresh start. The Eagles were then able to gauge Brown’s value, determining they would take no less than a first-round pick; they eventually got that from the Patriots in 2028. Moving Brown also affords the Eagles more financial flexibility in coming years.

But this seemingly all started with Brown’s desire to leave. That shouldn’t be too much of a surprise after seeing his frustration during the 2025 season. But Monday was the first time anybody admitted it publicly.

Roseman on Monday afternoon was asked about Brown’s desire to start fresh elsewhere.

"I think that's conversations that we had with A.J.,” Roseman said. "I think that he just felt for his family, that this stage of his career, it was something that he was desiring, that he was looking forward to. And all our conversations, very positive about his experiences in Philly. Just felt like going forward here that, that was something that he preferred.

"Really, when we look at the last year and a lot of talk about him during the trade deadline, he was all-in and trying to win another championship last year. We sat down after the season, had conversations, continued to have those conversations throughout the offseason.

"And, again, for us, we wouldn't have done this trade if there wasn't a first-round pick-plus included. Obviously, you go into these (trades), you have a feel for the player and what he's done for your team. And it's hard to pull the trigger on these. But after those conversations and where we are and players that we have coming up and that we want to extend, being able to get this first-round pick and getting some of the cap and cash relief, we felt like maybe this could be a win-win spot for both sides.”

Brown, 28, had an incredible four-year run in Philadelphia. In just four seasons, Brown had over 5,000 receiving yards and was a key piece of the team that won Super Bowl LIX. He was one of the best receivers in the NFL over the last four seasons and will go down as one of the best receivers in franchise history. Now, he’ll continue his career in New England, reuniting with his former head coach Mike Vrabel.

But how did things get to this point where Brown preferred to leave Philly? Maybe we’ll hear it from Brown when he eventually speaks to reporters in New England.

But Roseman on Monday offered this: "I just think that, that happens sometimes. You can have a really good run with somebody and [he] just feels like, ‘Hey, you know, the next stage of my career, I feel like it'll be better served kind of starting fresh.’ I think that, again, the conversations with him overall were positive and just honest conversations. And I think it just kind of got to a point where it made some sense from both sides.”

Roseman said there wasn’t any particular moment or day when the Eagles decided they were going to trade Brown. Instead, it happened over the course of the offseason for all those reasons we already mentioned.

While Brown’s desire to leave was at the top of the list, the return in the trade was obviously a major component too. While some teams devalue picks in future years, the Eagles do not.

"A first-round pick is a first-round pick,” Roseman said.

On top of that, the Eagles probably don’t hate the idea of getting that future pick from the Patriots. Had they made this trade before this year’s draft, not only would they have had the added salary cap hurdle, but they would have gotten the No. 31 overall pick in the 2026 draft. There’s obviously a really good chance the pick they get in 2028 will be significantly better.

And while the Eagles likely pushed for that pick to be in 2027, they were still pleased to get one for the 2028 draft.

"Again, hard to get first-round picks,” Roseman said, "and not wanting to be in a spot where we felt like at some point we didn't have the resources to continue to improve the team, to continue to get better, to continue to sign our young players. And I don't know that there was a day, but I think it was just based on a lot of conversations that felt like there are parallel paths where we could be a really good team with him. Obviously, we've shown that in the four years he's been here. But also felt like with the resources that we had that we could build a really good team going forward as well.”

This trade was not much of a surprise on Monday. The Eagles have been bolstering their receiver room all offseason in anticipation.

They added several players, including Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown. But this move also means that DeVonta Smith will assume the role as WR1 in Philadelphia.

"Have a lot of confidence in DeVonta Smith. Always have,” Roseman said. "I think he's just a really, really, really good player and excited for him to continue to improve and shine as a player. I have a lot of confidence in that. 

"Obviously, we took a receiver (Lemon) in the first round. I have a lot of confidence in that player, but he's a rookie receiver. Traded for Wicks. Feel like the guy's a really talented player who knows the offense, was with our coaches. Signed Hollywood, who's shown, proven over time, that he has a trait, an elite trait. 

"And then we got a bunch of other receivers here who early in camp are looking good and we'll have competition throughout that position like every other position. But there's no doubt that A.J. Brown was a huge, huge part of our football team. Great player for us and that loss will have to be picked up by more than just one player.”

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/howie-roseman-explains-why-the-eagles-traded-aj-brown/735478/

"Really, when we look at the last year and a lot of talk about him during the trade deadline, he was all-in and trying to win another championship last year. We sat down after the season, had conversations, continued to have those conversations throughout the offseason.

My BS meter went into alarm with that statement! He was clearly not "all in" and that was never more evident than that half-assed effort in the playoff game against SF.

Honestly, he gave great effort for a few years, and helped win a Super Bowl, but last year he seemed like a pouting primadonna. Slowed routes, dropped balls, and that general malaise were painfully evident. Now the self-made, self-absorbed crybaby can go cry in New England. It's a shame, because wanting to like him forever was on the table. The table he flipped over on his way out.

On 6/2/2026 at 2:04 PM, time2rock said:

My BS meter went into alarm with that statement! He was clearly not "all in" and that was never more evident than that half-assed effort in the playoff game against SF.

It’s a shame really because given how he’s behaved since he left I’d have liked Howie to have been a little more cut throat on him. I get that’s not how organisations work and I get that it would likely have done more damage than good… But I don’t feel like AJ deserves to be "protected” from what a **** he was.