Some reluctance remains among Patriots on top pick compensation for Eagles' AJ Brown

As of late yesterday, I was told some reluctance remains among segments of the #Patriots higher-ranks for giving up any form of a first-round pick for #Eagles WR AJ Brown, but that the plan remains to huddle-up this morning on 11th-hour trade-term stances—including whether they’re collectively* okay with giving up a later first-rounder as comfortable middle ground.

While it was acknowledged to me that a 2028 1st-rounder has come up in discussions, it was not yet affirmed that this compensation was 100% greenlit at the time of discussions with sources yesterday. 

While there’s uniform agreement that Brown is a first-round talent & a stud difference-maker, the preference to achieve a 2nd-round valuation for Brown (due to other mitigating factors), along with potentially including a pick swap was restated over the weekend.

That said, we all know head coach Mike Vrabel really wants to do what it takes to get his former player & that he’s the heavy finger on the trigger. 

So the tone of inevitability on a Brown trade still remains from New England’s perspective, it’s just about what they all ultimately agree to pay for Brown in efforts to get it over the finish line, whilst keeping an eye out for any left field updates. 

UPDATE:

NEW THIS AM: (Real-Time Update) I was told early this morning that a discussion on 2028 compensation--in general--will come into fold early today, including debate on IF or CAN there be agreement on picks from any other round in this year, per league sources. Again I'm just sharing ongoing talk I'm hearing as sides push towards a completed official exchange.

FOLLOW UP: One league source told me there was a feeling --early this morning-- that it was going to take something from 2028 before the sides reconvened independently. Anyways, we'll see what surfaces after morning huddling.

SIDEBAR: SIDEBAR: What's interesting about the 2028 aspect of this AJ Brown compensation discussion is that Howie Roseman prefers prospects from the upcoming 2027 Draft, as reported a couple months ago. https://tinyurl.com/285d5s3r So to me, this now sounds like a sign Roseman is trying to assuage the 1st-round pay discomfort. Plus, another league source said this morning Roseman has been willing to this before. Case in point: The 2024 Haason Reddick trade was for a 2026 conditional 3rd-round pick. Sharing some league talk on this... #Eagles #Patriots