Story perspectives

Patriots Acquire Brown, Miami Signs Willis to $67.5 M Contract

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Four NFL teams named Keon Coleman, A.J. Brown, Malik Willis and Cam Ward as players for 2026.
Coleman posted 556 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 and 404 yards, four touchdowns in 2025 despite benchings for issues.
Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round and a 2027 fifth-round pick for 29-year-old A.J. Brown while Miami signed Malik Willis to a $67.5 million contract after his 85.7% pass completion in four 2025 games.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s first salary cap arrived in the 1994 season, set at $34.6 million after Fox’s TV deal raised the projected $32 million figure. The cap forced the Dallas Cowboys to restructure contracts, including Troy Aikman’s $12 million extension, reshaping player markets. Today, the Patriots’ 2028 first-round pick trade for A.J. Brown and the Dolphins’ $67.5 million deal for Malik Willis reflect the cap-era’s high-value contracts and draft-pick packaging.

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Story summary

Four NFL teams named Keon Coleman, A.J. Brown, Malik Willis and Cam Ward as players for 2026.
Coleman posted 556 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 and 404 yards, four touchdowns in 2025 despite benchings for issues.
Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round and a 2027 fifth-round pick for 29-year-old A.J. Brown while Miami signed Malik Willis to a $67.5 million contract after his 85.7% pass completion in four 2025 games.

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