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Patriots Acquire A.J. Brown, Send 2028 First-Round Pick

6/2/2026

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The New England Patriots acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1, 2026.
The Patriots gave Philadelphia a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Brown, 29 on June 30, 2026, is under a contract through 2029 averaging $32 million per season.
The Eagles split Brown’s $40 million cap charge, creating $16.4 million dead money, freeing $7 million, and will replace him with Makai Lemon and three other receivers.

History

Historical Context

Large NFL deals such as the 1989 Herschel Walker trade—where the Vikings sent eight draft picks to the Cowboys for the star running back—show teams’ willingness to sacrifice future assets for elite talent. Echoing that approach, the Patriots on June 1 2026 traded a 2028 first-round and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Eagles for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

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Story summary

The New England Patriots acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1, 2026.
The Patriots gave Philadelphia a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Brown, 29 on June 30, 2026, is under a contract through 2029 averaging $32 million per season.
The Eagles split Brown’s $40 million cap charge, creating $16.4 million dead money, freeing $7 million, and will replace him with Makai Lemon and three other receivers.

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