The A.J. Brown to Cleveland rumors are heating up again, with the new league year just around the corner. The latest chatter, courtesy of ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, suggests the Browns might trade their second 2026 first-round pick (No. 24 from Jacksonville) to Philadelphia for the star wide receiver.
Fowler's take? "They could use No. 6 on an offensive lineman and send No. 24 to the Eagles for Brown.
This would immediately boost new head coach Todd Monken's offense, giving the passing game a real shot alongside an already solid defense. Cleveland's wide receivers totaled just 1,467 receiving yards in 2025, the lowest in the NFL."
On paper, this seems logical. However, Brown has shown some "diva" tendencies in Philadelphia. If he's unhappy with a Super Bowl-contending Eagles team, why would he find satisfaction in a rebuilding Cleveland?
GM Andrew Berry needs to think twice before making this move.
Berry, with ties to the Eagles from his time in their front office, has tried to mirror their structure in Cleveland. He's been bold in acquiring veteran receivers with varied outcomes.
In 2022, Berry struck gold by trading with the Dallas Cowboys for Amari Cooper, who delivered 14 touchdowns and over 1,100 receiving yards each season in his first two years with the Browns.
Berry also took a swing at Jerry Jeudy in 2024. Jeudy had a standout first year, breaking the franchise's single-season reception record. But in 2025, he was tied for second in the league for dropped passes (10).
Here's why the Browns should steer clear of A.J. Brown:
- The OBJ Ghost: Avoiding the "Diva" Trap
We've seen this story unfold before, and it didn't end well. The parallels between Brown and the Odell Beckham Jr. trade of 2019 are striking. Both are top-tier, emotional receivers who can become sideline distractions if they're not getting enough targets.
With an unsettled quarterback situation, led by the developing Shedeur Sanders and new head coach Todd Monken, Cleveland can't risk a volatile personality disrupting the offense.
- The Salary Cap Nightmare
Cleveland is already dealing with a tight salary cap, the most restrictive in NFL history. With Deshaun Watson's massive $80.7-million cap hit in 2026, adding Brown’s $23.3-million cap number would make it nearly impossible for the Browns to sign any significant free agents.
Even if Berry restructures Watson's contract for more cap space, there's still the offensive line overhaul and decisions on 31 free agents to consider.
- Protection Over Production
The Browns' offensive line is in crisis mode. Leader Joel Bitonio might retire, and Wyatt Teller has hinted on social media that he won’t return. It's crucial to use the No. 6 or 24 pick to draft an offensive line starter, and ideally a wide receiver with the other.
Securing playmakers on rookie contracts is essential, especially with future concerns about Watson's dead cap hit.