At this time last year, the Philadelphia Eagles were riding high - fresh off a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and looking like a team built to contend for years to come. Fast forward to now, and the mood in Philly has shifted dramatically.
A disappointing 2025 season has raised more questions than answers, and none loom larger than the situation surrounding star wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Brown is a rare breed - a physical force at the position who can take over games when he’s locked in. But this past season, his connection with the team seemed anything but seamless.
Throughout the year, Brown made headlines not just for his play, but for his pointed comments in the media about his role in the offense. The message was clear: he wanted the ball more, and he wasn’t shy about saying it.
That tension has sparked trade rumors around the league, with Brown’s name surfacing in conversations as teams look to upgrade their receiving corps. Whether those rumors have real legs remains to be seen.
Brown hasn’t publicly demanded a trade, and there’s been no official word from the Eagles suggesting they’re looking to move him. But according to reports, the relationship between Brown and the organization is still on shaky ground.
NFL insider Dianna Russini noted that while no serious trade talks have taken place yet, things could heat up soon - especially with the NFL Combine just a couple weeks away. That’s typically when conversations between teams start to intensify, and if the Eagles are even slightly open to exploring their options, Brown would draw plenty of interest.
Despite the off-field noise, Brown still managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in 2025, finishing with 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. But the numbers don’t tell the full story.
His 12.1 yards per reception marked a career low, and a good chunk of his production came on quick, short throws that didn’t feel like they were part of the offense’s natural rhythm. For a player known for stretching the field and bullying defenders on the outside, it was a noticeable shift.
That’s not to say Brown’s talent is in question - far from it. There are only a handful of receivers in the NFL who combine size, strength, and speed the way he does.
When he’s on, he’s a matchup nightmare, capable of dictating coverages and opening up opportunities for everyone else. That’s why, if he were to hit the trade market, the asking price would be steep - and rightfully so.
Of course, the Eagles may decide to keep Brown and work through the friction. If that’s the case, the focus will turn to how he and quarterback Jalen Hurts can get back in sync.
That relationship will be critical, especially with Sean Mannion stepping in as the new offensive coordinator. A fresh scheme could be exactly what this offense needs - but only if its top playmaker is fully bought in.
Until there’s clarity, A.J. Brown’s future remains the biggest storyline in Philadelphia.
Whether it ends with a blockbuster trade or a recommitment to building something special in Philly, the next few weeks will be telling. One way or another, the Eagles have a major decision on their hands - and the rest of the NFL is watching closely.