The Philadelphia Eagles had little room to maneuver after the 2025 season, and the A.J. Brown situation pushed them into a decision they couldn’t really avoid. Brown no longer wanted to stay in Philadelphia, his relationship with Jalen Hurts had reportedly deteriorated, and the trade talk that followed eventually turned into reality when the All-Pro wideout was dealt to the New England Patriots.
Even so, not everyone around the league thinks the Eagles landed on the right answer.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported that some rival NFL teams questioned whether moving Brown was the proper fix for the issues that had built up in Philadelphia. As Howe put it, "There was quite a bit of drama last season with the Eagles, but rival teams weren't sure trading wideout A.J.
Brown was the solution," and added, "... No one is writing off the Eagles, but some concerns shouldn't be ignored."
The Eagles’ move did clear away the noise that had grown around Brown after his push for more targets during a season in which the passing game struggled. But in 2026, the cost of that clean break is a receiver group that looks very different behind DeVonta Smith.
Philadelphia still has Hurts, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley, but the rest of the passing attack now leans on Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks to help replace what Brown brought to the offense. That’s a tough ask.
Brown and the Patriots, meanwhile, are being viewed as a team that could be headed for a big season. For the Eagles, the question is whether the new-look offense can hold up without him. Rival teams clearly have doubts, and those doubts don’t disappear just because the trade had to happen.
Hurts and Philadelphia could still put together a strong year. No one is ruling that out. But making a deep playoff run after moving Brown would require a lot to break the right way.
In Other News...
Eagles Week 1 Depth Chart Leaves Pressure On Two Key Roles
The Eagles have put out their full depth chart for the 2026 regular season, and it offers a clear look at where the roster is settled and where the real intrigue still sits. Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby are lined up at running back, Dallas Goedert remains the lead tight end, and Jalen Carter anchors the defensive tackle spot, but the chart also makes it plain that not every job has been neatly sorted out.
The biggest unresolved question remains at quarterback, where the backup role is still up for grabs between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. There are also lingering decisions on how Jonathan Greenard will be used off the edge and how the cornerback group will hold up after injuries and uneven preseason showings, leaving a few important snaps to be determined even with Week 1 here. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Season Predictions Will Give Fans Plenty To Argue About
The Eagles are heading into the kind of preseason stretch that always invites a little friendly bickering, and the latest round of predictions gives fans plenty to debate. The forecasts touch just about every corner of the roster, from what Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith might produce to how much of an impact the defense can make if the right pieces click at the right time.
Jalen Carter is one of the names drawing the loudest reaction, with the projection placing him among the leagues elite if his ascent continues. Riq Woolen also comes up as a player to watch for turnovers, and the broader outlook is just as ambitious, with the team expected to stay near the top of the NFC East conversation again. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Keeping One Crucial Week 1 Decision Under Wraps
Nick Sirianni had plenty to say before practice, but the most important detail remained off limits. The Eagles coach addressed a handful of early-season topics, including how the team plans to handle its offense in Week 1, and confirmed that offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will likely be upstairs in the booth calling plays. He also took time to highlight the approach of injured players such as Jonathan Greenard, while continuing to show faith in rookie wideout Makai Lemon and praising DeVonta Smith for the leadership and work habits that have made him one of the teams steadier voices.
Still, the one question that tends to matter most when the games start has not been answered yet: who will back up Jalen Hurts. Sirianni stopped short of revealing the decision, leaving the depth charts most scrutinized spot unresolved as the opener approaches. For a team built around Hurts, the job behind him is easy to overlook until it suddenly is not, which is why the Eagles have kept that choice quiet even as they lay out the rest of their Week 1 plan. [Read more 🡒]