A.J. Brown is finally a Patriot - will he prove the Eagles wrong?
Yahoo Sports senior NFL writer Frank Schwab reacts to Monday's second blockbuster deal and why the wide receiver's move from Philadelphia to New England could be good for both teams.
Video Transcript
The long anticipated trade of A.J.
Brown from the Eagles to the Patriots finally done.
It's only the second biggest deal of the day because Myles Garrett moved to the Rams, but this is still a massive deal for both teams involved.
Let's start with the Eagles.
Getting rid of A.J.
Brown right now and getting a first round pick in 2028 back is a pretty good deal for them considering the situation with Brown seemed irreparable.
Brown wasn't happy with his role.
His numbers had dropped the past two years.
Him and Jalen Hurts never seemed to be on the same page recently.
So just removing Brown from the roster, getting a first round pick back, taking his contract off the books, does help the Eagles down the road.
It hurts them right away.
A.J.
Brown's still a heck of a player that defenses have to respect on every snap, but they do have DeVonta Smith.
They just drafted Mekhi Lemon in the first round.
They also drafted tight end Eli Stowers in the second round.
He'll help the passing game.
So you assume the Eagles can absorb this.
What this is is a huge trade for the New England Patriots.
They needed a number one receiver.
Drake Maye almost won MVP last season without a true number one receiver.
Stefon Diggs was fine in that role, but probably past his prime.
He's off the team now.
New England really needed an alpha receiver to go with Drake Maye.
They get that with A.J.
Brown.
Now, there's some c- concerns with Brown.
He is 28.
There are questions about his knee, his demeanor, but I think he's gonna be rejuvenated and refocused.
He's gonna wanna show the Eagles they were using him wrong.
I think you're gonna see the best out of A.J.
Brown, and if you get that, he's one of the 10 best receivers in the NFL.
So I think the Eagles did well in this situation, but the big winner here is the Patriots, who should be supercharged on offense now that Drake Maye has a true number one receiver to work with.
