The New England Patriots just made a very interesting move that could completely open the door for the Philadelphia Eagles to trade them wide receiver, A.J. Brown.
Sources told NFL insider Tom Pelissero that the Patriots have informed wide receiver Stefon Diggs he will be released when the new league year starts next week. Diggs spent just one season with the Patriots after having stops with the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans.
New England has also been in talks about spending big money in free agency to add a top wide receiver to the team. The Patriots have also been tied to trade talks with the Eagles for Brown.
Can the Eagles strike a deal to send A.J. Brown to the Patriots?
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has reportedly told teams that the price tag for Brown in a trade is a first and second-round pick. There have been other reports that it could be either a first-round, top-100 pick or a first-round pick and a wide receiver.
The connections between Brown and the Patriots are very clear, as they involve him playing for New England head coach Mike Vrabel. Brown played under Vrabel for three years with the Tennessee Titans.
New England now needs a number one receiver for their quarterback, Drake Maye, opening the door for Brown to be traded to them. The problem is going to be the compensation to make it happen, as teams have complained that the two picks are too much for Brown.
Roseman has made it clear that he is willing to take calls on Brown, but because of the financial situation with Brown's contract, he wants moving on from an All-Pro wide receiver to be worth it. The Eagles would take a $20 million cap hit if Brown is traded before June 1, so it will sting, but two high draft picks would ease the burden.
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If the Patriots can't get the top guys to come at wide receiver, Brown might look pretty good to them, so a trade is more real than it has been all offseason.