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Patriots Trade Diggs, Acquire AJ Brown for Picks

6/9/2026

Summary

AJ Brown Joins Patriots

The Patriots acquired wide receiver AJ Brown on June 1, 2026, sending the Eagles a 2028 first-round and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Brown began a three-year, $96 million contract that assumes the remainder of his $113 million deal.
The Patriots released veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, who had led the team with 85 catches and 1,013 yards.
Brown, a 51st-overall 2019 Titans pick, signed a Pro Bowl wall picture.

Summary

Patriots Target Edge

Patriots coaches say the need is bolstering the edge-rusher position, naming Landry, Joey Bosa and Leonard Floyd.
Analysts warn the defensive front is injury-prone and project a mediocre 2026 team without pass-rush upgrades.
Kayshon Boutte says the minicamp will host Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins, increasing competition behind No. 1 Brown.
Brown’s four-year, $110 million contract carries $32 million guaranteed, no signing bonus, and may deter renegotiation before the 2028 pick is forfeited.

Summary

Brown Picks Patriots

Rams GM Les Snead said trade talks with Eagles GM Howie Roseman collapsed over Adams’s and Brown’s knee concerns.
Brown’s camp offered the Eagles four AFC suitors—Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Patriots.
After the Bills signed D.J. Moore and the Chiefs and Chargers showed little interest, New England became the sole option.
Chargers declined because they have already used seven draft picks on receivers like Ladd McConkey and Tre’ Harris.

Summary

Hurts Intercepted

Jalen Hurts' OTA debut was intercepted by linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., then he missed Dallas Goedert and Hollywood Brown, finishing 9-for-14 with a C-grade.
The Eagles hired Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator, saw rookie Makai Lemon injured, and recorded Hollywood Brown's lowest 2025 output, leading an AFC executive to call him a polarizing player.
Trade talks that began at the NFL Scouting Combine (Feb 26-Mar 1) were confirmed in April.

History

Historical Context

On March 22 2020 the Houston Texans sent All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick. The deal marked a rare instance of a franchise-corner receiver being exchanged for multiple high draft assets, a pattern that now guides teams’ willingness to trade future picks for elite pass-catchers.

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AJ Brown Joins Patriots

The Patriots acquired wide receiver AJ Brown on June 1, 2026, sending the Eagles a 2028 first-round and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Brown began a three-year, $96 million contract that assumes the remainder of his $113 million deal.
The Patriots released veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, who had led the team with 85 catches and 1,013 yards.
Brown, a 51st-overall 2019 Titans pick, signed a Pro Bowl wall picture.

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