Defending Champs Refuse Trade for A.J. Brown

The Philadelphia Eagles might be experiencing a rough patch with a two-game losing streak, but they are not considering trading star receiver A.J. Brown. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Eagles have told interested teams, "aren't moving him now." This decision comes despite growing speculation surrounding Brown's future in Philadelphia following a cryptic social media post he made after a Week 4 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brown addressed the post on October 1st, clarifying that it was not directed at quarterback Jalen Hurts or any of the Eagles coaches. Instead, he admitted it was a moment of frustration. The Eagles began the season with a strong 4-0 record but have faltered in their last two games, losing to the Denver Broncos and New York Giants, scoring only 34 points combined during this stretch.

After the loss to the Giants, reports indicated that the Eagles view Brown's off-field actions as part of the deal with their talented but unpredictable receiver. As teams inquire about his availability, the Eagles' management remains steady in their resolve to keep him on the roster.

There has been a wave of criticism directed at the Eagles’ offense, which is under the guidance of first-year coordinator Kevin Patullo. Even during their unbeaten start, the offense struggled to impress, with issues stemming from injuries on the offensive line, Saquon Barkley's reduced explosiveness, and a stagnant passing game.

Given Brown’s three-year, $96 million contract extension signed in April 2024, which runs through the 2029 season, trading him seems unlikely. At just 28 years old and having been selected to the All-Pro second team for the past three seasons, Brown has the potential to bounce back. Although he is currently averaging a career-low 11.0 yards per reception, historical trends suggest improvement is on the horizon.

Despite recent struggles, the Eagles remain atop the NFC East with a record of 4-2, being the only team in the division boasting a winning record.