The Philadelphia Eagles made one of the most successful trades in NFL history when they sent a first-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for wide receiver A.J. Brown before the 2022 season. Brown delivered four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, earned three NFL All-Pro selections and helped the Eagles reach two Super Bowls, winning one.
The Eagles later traded Brown to the New England Patriots for a first-round pick before the 2026 season. The deal could become one of the worst trades in NFL history for New England if Brown’s struggles continue. In a 35-10 loss to the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany, in Week 10, he dropped passes, appeared out of sync and left the game with a hamstring injury.
The loss left the Patriots at 5-5. Brown had missed six games because of injuries and, through his first four appearances, had 11 catches for 128 yards and no touchdowns. Against Detroit, he managed two receptions for 27 yards.
Brown is earning $29 million this season under a three-year, $96 million contract extension that runs through the 2029 season. After his performance against the Lions, critics on social media questioned the trade and his production. One commenter called it a “disgusting fall off,” while Patriots fan Brandon Carney said the team’s only consolation was that the Eagles received New England’s 2028 first-round pick rather than its 2027 selection.
The criticism also came from prominent sports voices and Eagles fans. Bill Simmons compared Brown’s inability to get open to the Patriots’ former receiver N’Keal Harry. Another post said Brown was on pace for career lows in yards per game and catches, along with a career high in drops per game.
Some Eagles fans also revisited Brown’s departure from Philadelphia, which followed repeated complaints about playing with quarterback Jalen Hurts. One fan said he was glad to see Hurts was no longer “holding A.J. Brown back.”
## Eagles Struggle Without Brown
The Eagles’ fans had plenty of reasons to be frustrated themselves. During their Week 10 bye, Philadelphia was 2-7 and had lost seven straight games. The team had also lost Hurts for the season after blood clots were discovered in his lungs, while All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson retired after four games.
Philadelphia also made several major moves before the trade deadline. The Eagles traded two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens for a second-round pick. They also sent defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who was selected in the first round in 2023 and has a $78 million contract, to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
