Just over a year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles were on top of the world. They took out the NFL's goliath Kansas City Chiefs, and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, and the worst part for Dallas Cowboys fans was that it didn't look like they were going anywhere anytime soon. This was a new dynasty.
But just as they took the league by storm, turmoil entered the Eagles' building. Although they won the NFC East for the second-straight season and third time in five years under Nick Sirianni, they lost in the first round of the postseason. And all sorts of questions began materializing in Philadelphia.
Of course, the biggest was what star wide receiver A.J. Brown's future held with the franchise. He was clearly unhappy with the play of Jalen Hurts, and causing problems in the locker room, which is a good thing for the Cowboys. Let the metaphorical giants cannibalize themselves. And they did.
On Monday, Brown was finally and officially traded to the New England Patriots, where he was destined to go all along. The Eagles received a 2028 first-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder in the deal.
Dallas Cowboys fans have to be happy about Eagles trading star WR A.J. Brown
It felt like Brown being shipped off after the June 1 deadline, when it was more financially viable for Howie Roseman and the Eagles, was the worst-kept secret in sports. But that doesn't mean that Brown's leaving Philadelphia is any less gratifying or beneficial for Dallas.
Jerry Jones has made sensible move after sensible move this offseason to put America's Team in a place to have cohesion and thrive during the 2026 NFL season. Meanwhile, across the division, the perennial power is crumbling from within.
Yes, DeVonta Smith is a very good wide receiver, and the Eagles also drafted Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Roseman also went out and traded for Dontayvion Wicks this offseason and signed Hollywood Brown. But none of these players are game-changers like A.J. Brown was.
Recreating Brown in the aggregate won't have the same impact on the Philadelphia offense that Brown did. And Dallas fans know this better than anyone, as across eight games against the Cowboys in four years, Brown averaged 5.5 catches for 74.1 yards and .5 touchdowns per contest.
Brown either caught a touchdown pass or recorded over 100 receiving yards in five of his eight matchups with Dallas, and he had 94 yards in another. That is production that the Eagles can't assume a rookie or low-dollar veteran can replace, at least not right away.
Dallas won't face off against the Brown-less Eagles until Week 7 in a Monday Night Football bout, and then they'll battle again in Week 12 on Thanksgiving. It'll be a different matchup than Cowboys fans have gotten used to over the years without Brown, but that is completely fine.
Whereas America's Team made strides in the right direction this offseason, the hot water in Philadelphia finally boiled over, and the Eagles no longer have their stud WR1. While their fans may act like it's no big deal or that they were anticipating it, that doesn't soften the blow of losing him.
Add us as a preferred source on Google