The Patriots might still be in the mix for Eagles WR A.J. Brown despite reportedly not agreeing on his asking price.
Patriots to trade for A.J. Brown?
The Athletic's Chad Graff explains how New England's situation with Stefon Diggs puts them in a position vulnerable enoughto consider Brown.
"The Patriots want to get better at wide receiver while Drake Maye is still on his affordable rookie contract, and cutting their most productive player at the position doesn’t seem like a natural way to do that. That said, $26.5 million is a hefty cap hit for a receiver who will turn 33 next season."
"Given that contract, one league source expects the Patriots to cut Diggs unless they’re able to dramatically lower his cap hit with a reworked contract."
"The options to replace him via free agency aren’t great. There’s skepticism about whether Alec Pierce will make it to the open market. The other top options would be Mike Evans or Wan’Dale Robinson."
"That’s another reason one league source expects the Patriots to be active in trade discussions for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. It seems doubtful New England would give up its first-round pick for Brown, who turns 29 this summer. But at the right price, Brown would fit what the Patriots are looking for."
"So if the Patriots do cut Diggs, expect them to kick the tires on Evans or Pierce and potentially pivot to either trading for Brown or drafting a wide receiver early."
There were also reports about the Patriots thinking that Eagles' asking rpice was a joke, per an inside report.
"The Patriots have explored trade talks involving Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown, but feel the current asking price is unserious, according to one source," the report said.
However, that might jsut have been an indirect bargain attempt from the Patriots. We'll only know when the Eagles announce their official deicison on their WR1.