The AJ Brown-to-New England rumors continue to expand!
Despite recent reports suggesting the Patriots and Eagles may not be particularly close on compensation, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Thursday morning that discussions between the two sides are still very much alive.
According to Anderson, the Eagles and Patriots have recently “grappled” over the total trade compensation package, including the possibility of a swapping of picks as part of the framework.
More importantly for Patriots fans, Anderson added that based on various conversations over the last week, New England still carries confidence that a deal for Brown will eventually get done.
Of course, one major obstacle still stands in the way: Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
As Anderson noted, league sources continue to believe Roseman will hold all options open until the calendar flips to June, leaving the possibility that another team could attempt to swoop in late with a stronger offer.
“This is still Howie Roseman we are talking about and everyone’s still gonna hold all of their cards up until the start of June,” one league source told Anderson. “So yes, a concern always gets floated here & there in these things that someone would swoop in at the last minute, and it would be a deal that Philly couldn’t refuse.”
Still, the ongoing conversations between Philadelphia and New England continue to suggest there’s real smoke surrounding the possibility of Brown landing in Foxborough.
Former Eagles president Joe Banner also recently indicated he believes a deal between the two sides ultimately gets completed. Banner, one of the key architects behind the Eagles’ successful early-2000s run, has remained plugged into league circles and added further fuel to the growing speculation.
Until anything becomes official, trade talks will continue to dominate the conversation surrounding Brown and the Eagles. But for now, the Patriots remain firmly in the mix and appear determined to keep negotiations moving forward.
