The Kansas City Chiefs are crashing the sweepstakes for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown. A new report by Jobe Morrison syndicated across The Big Lead reveals that the Eagles are getting more open to moving the star playmaker as mandatory minicamps get closer. Brown wanted a move multiple times last year, but Philadelphia resisted until now.
And the timing makes perfect sense for Kansas City. The Chiefs need a true top option in their passing game because Rashee Rice was ordered to serve a 30-day jail sentence after a failed probation test. The defending champions want an elite outside target who can stretch defenses down the field.
But a deal will not happen before June 1. If Philadelphia trades Brown right now, they take an immediate 40 million dollar dead money hit against their salary cap. According to details on the post-June 1 trade rules analyzed by Sports Illustrated, waiting until after that date lets General Manager Howie Roseman split that dead money across two seasons, cutting the immediate penalty down to 20 million dollars.
The New England Patriots spent months as the clear frontrunner for Brown. They kept talking to Philadelphia all spring trying to finalize a deal. Meanwhile, other teams are falling out of the race. The Los Angeles Rams were heavily involved early on, but recent reports show the Rams officially backed out of trade discussions.
That leaves a wide-open track for AFC powerhouses. Kansas City is not alone in trying to intercept New England. The Baltimore Ravens want a true number-one receiver for Lamar Jackson, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking at using their 2027 draft picks to win the bidding.