Eagles keep A.J. Brown after drama-filled fall; GM Howie Roseman: 'You just don't get rid of guys like that'
The trade that brought wide receiver A.J. Brown to Philadelphia in 2022 has turned into one of the most lopsided deals the NFL has seen.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman wasn't going to part with Brown because of a drama-filled fall.
"I think that when you're trying to be a great team, it's hard to trade great players, and A.J. Brown is a great player," Roseman said of the three-time All-Pro and team captain after Tuesday's trade deadline passed.
"He wears the 'C' for a reason. He's an important part of this team, of this organization. He cares about winning. He cares about his teammates. And I think when you're a team like ours that is looking forward to an opportunity to compete for a championship, you just don't get rid of guys like that."
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After the Eagles acquired the former Ole Miss standout in a draft-day trade with the Tennessee Titans, they reached two Super Bowls in the next three seasons, winning it all the last time around.
Brown collected his first ring as well as the the fourth-most receiving yards (4,031) and seventh-most receiving touchdowns (25) of any player in the NFL in that span.
This season, though, he's tied for 59th in the league with only 29 receptions, which he's piled up in seven games of action. Brown's 395 receiving yards barely crack the top 50.
He's had three games with fewer than five receptions during the 2025 campaign, the first with Kevin Patullo coordinating the offense. Brown was targeted only once in a season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys. At the time, he talked about how that wasn't something he could control.
But after he had just two catches during a Week 4 victory in Tampa, he sent a cryptic message on social media, quoting the Bible. Brown took "full accountability" for the post a few days later and said his social media message wasn't directed at anyone in the building. He explained that his frustrations come from wanting the ball when his team is struggling to get going, and he emphasized that his desire for touches is rooted in his drive for wins, not stats.
After a two-game skid this past month, the Eagles have bounced back with back-to-back victories. They're 6-2 and ahead of the pack in the NFC East.
And Brown's last performance was his most explosive this season: a 4-catch, 121-yard, 2-touchdown showing in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings.
"I feel very lucky to have him on our team," Roseman said Tuesday. "Excited about the second half of the season with him."