Despite the Philadelphia Eagles front office saying all the right things about three-time Pro Bowl WR A. J. Brown, speculation surrounding his future continues to grow, with league insiders suggesting a post–June 1 trade remains a very real possibility.
Brown has been a key piece for Philadelphia since arriving via trade from the Tennessee Titans in 2022. He has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four seasons with the team, including back-to-back 1,400-yard campaigns to begin his tenure. He also played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run in 2024. However, despite continued on-field production, reports of locker room friction surfaced throughout last season.
Much of that speculation centered around Brown’s relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts, with reports indicating frustration over his target share. While Brown remains under contract for the next four years, a potential trade becomes more financially viable after June 1, when his dead cap hit would drop from over $40 million to $16.35 million.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The situation could become even more intriguing depending on the 2026 NFL Draft. If Philadelphia selects a wide receiver early, it may further fuel trade speculation. ESPN’s Peter Schrager projected exactly that scenario in his latest mock draft, suggesting the Eagles would take Denzel Boston No. 23 overall.
"Boston is electric, and Washington coach Jedd Fisch and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman are longtime college buddies. Some NFL sources I have spoken to have Boston as the second or third wideout in this class. And if the Eagles take him, A.J. Brown's future becomes all the more interesting and will undoubtedly hit the A Block on "Get Up" on Friday morning coming out of the draft," Schrager wrote.
The Eagles currently feature DeVonta Smith alongside recent offseason addition Marquise Brown. Adding Boston to the mix would create a potentially dangerous trio, but would also confirm that the team is ready to move on from Brown.
Boston spent all four of his collegiate seasons at Washington, initially seeing limited opportunities while developing behind future NFL receivers Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk. He broke out in 2024 with 63 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns, followed by a strong 2025 campaign with 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 scores.
At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, Boston profiles as a red-zone mismatch with an impressive catch radius and reliable hands. While he may not possess elite twitch or top-end burst, he moves efficiently for his size, shows smooth acceleration, and competes well through contact.
Even if Brown remains in Philadelphia, adding a player like Boston, who rarely drops passes and boasted a miniscule 1.2% drop rate in 2025, would make the Eagles' passing attack even more dangerous while providing a valuable piece to develop for the future.
