If A.J. Brown becomes available on the trade market this offseason, there’s no shortage of teams that should be picking up the phone.
The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver has been a consistent force on the field, but after a rocky 2025 campaign that ended with sideline tension and public frustration, the idea of a fresh start might not be far-fetched. And if that door opens, there are four teams that make a whole lot of sense as potential suitors: the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and Buffalo Bills.
Let’s start with Denver. The Broncos are entering a pivotal year in their rebuild, and with Bo Nix at the helm, they need to surround their young quarterback with more than just hope and potential.
Courtland Sutton remains the top option, but behind him, it’s a lot of question marks. Adding a proven, high-caliber receiver like Brown would give Nix a true security blanket and elevate an offense that’s still trying to find its identity.
The Patriots are in a similar boat. Stefon Diggs gives them a legitimate No. 1, but the depth chart behind him doesn’t inspire much confidence.
What makes New England particularly interesting is the connection between Brown and head coach Mike Vrabel, who previously coached Brown in Tennessee. That relationship, combined with the Patriots’ favorable cap situation, makes them a real contender if Brown becomes available.
They’ve got the financial flexibility to absorb his $96 million contract, and they’ve got a coach who knows how to get the best out of him.
As for the Raiders, they’ve got the cap space and the need. What they don’t have-at least not right now-is the allure of a winning culture.
If Brown has any say in where he goes, Las Vegas might not be high on his list. But from a roster-building perspective, the Raiders would benefit immensely from a player like Brown, someone who can command attention and open up the field for the rest of the offense.
Then there’s Buffalo. The Bills are in a bit of a transition phase, and while they’ve still got Josh Allen under center, they need to replenish their wide receiver room.
Brown would give Allen a physical, explosive target who can thrive in high-pressure moments-something this team has lacked since Diggs’ production began to wane. More importantly, Brown could be the missing piece in a Super Bowl-caliber offense that’s been knocking on the door for years.
Of course, there’s one big obstacle standing in the way of any trade: money. If the Eagles move Brown, they’d be staring down a significant dead cap hit.
That’s not a small hurdle. And then there’s the matter of replacing a player of Brown’s caliber-no easy task, especially for a team that still sees itself as a contender.
Still, when you look at the situation from 30,000 feet, it’s not hard to imagine a scenario where both sides decide it’s time to move on. Brown wasn’t shy about voicing his frustration with the offense throughout the season, and his heated exchange with head coach Nick Sirianni during the playoff loss to San Francisco only turned up the volume on trade chatter.
If the Eagles do decide to explore a deal, New England stands out as the most logical destination. The fit is there, the history is there, and the money works.
But don’t count out Buffalo or Denver-both teams offer Brown a real shot at chasing a ring in 2026. Whether Philly’s willing to take the financial hit is the big question, but if they are, the market will be ready.
Bottom line: if A.J. Brown hits the trade block, the race to land him will be fast and furious. And for a few teams looking to make a leap, he could be the difference between good and great.