The worst-kept secret is finally done, and Philadelphia Eagles fans can rest easy knowing that the drama is over.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown has been traded to the New England Patriots, and the Eagles received a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick. Brown got his wish as he moves on from Philly after expressing frustration with the lack of targets and offensive efficiency, while the Eagles remove a massive distraction from the team.
There are plenty of winners and losers from this Brown trade who should be identified and examined. Here are the clear winners and losers on the Eagles side from the trade:
Winner: DeVonta Smith, WR
With Brown out of the picture, it's time for Smith to prove that he belongs in the conversation as one of the best receivers in the NFL. He has posted three 1,000-yard seasons in five years, with most of that time playing second fiddle to Brown. Every Eagles fan knows Smith is ready for the moment and wants to see him shine bright.
Loser: Sean Mannion, OC
As a first-year play caller, Mannion should want the best players on the field for his team. He's done a great job building the scheme and getting good players who will fit the scheme, but not having Brown is a massive loss for the offense. The assumption is that Mannion never thought he would have Brown in the offense, so he never planned for it, but there has to be a part of him that wishes he had.
Winner: Eagles Fans
No more drama on television with the media overreacting to the news, as now they can enjoy watching the Eagles in peace without the thought of how Brown was going to react. Of course, there's still the whole Jalen Hurts drama and Nick Sirianni hot seat storyline that Eagles fans can dread following in 2026. There should be fewer distractions, though, for the Eagles with Brown out of the picture.
Loser: Jalen Hurts, QB
Anytime a quarterback loses who has been his top receiver over the last four years, that's never going to be a win for them. Hurts has plenty of weapons around him, and Smith is ready to take a leap to WR1, but the franchise quarterback always knew he could rely on Brown to catch the football. Through this transition comes more pressure on Hurts to step up and play well, as many believe it's a make-or-break season for Hurts.
Read more: Eagles' Makai Lemon just got the heat turned up on him after A.J. Brown trade
Winner: Howie Roseman, GM
This was a tough trade to make, and while Eagles fans might have wanted to get more out of the deal, Roseman still did a good job getting two future draft picks. The most important part, though, is that he got the first-round pick they desperately needed from Brown. While some Eagles fans feel they missed out on getting more, Roseman has a way to turn these picks into magic, so let the man cook.
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