After an energizing offseason, the Dallas Cowboys are primed to give the Philadelphia Eagles a run for their money in the NFC East this upcoming season.
The Eagles, meanwhile, didn't have their typical robust offseason, but pickups such as Jonathan Greenard -- a player we wanted Dallas to pursue -- and Riq Woolen will help make up for the losses of Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, and Reed Blankenship.
All of that said, Philly hasn't even suffered its biggest loss yet. With June 1 just around the corner now that we're on the other side of Memorial Day Weekend, Cowboys fans can start the countdown to star wide receiver A.J. Brown getting traded, likely to the New England Patriots.
Soon enough, the Dallas Cowboys will no longer have to worry about A.J. Brown
A Brown trade has been a formality for months. While he never publicly requested a move, his growing frustration with Jalen Hurts prompted general manager Howie Roseman to address the situation after the season with the familiar line, "A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles."
In most cases, Brown would’ve been traded by now, but his contract is holding things up. The Eagles are waiting until June 2, when they can spread the dead-money hit over two years.
If traded before June 1, Philly would save $20.05 million in cap space, while absorbing $43.44 million in dead money, per OverTheCap. While the Eagles won't save as much with a post-June 1 deal ($7.04 million), they'll only be on the hook for $16.35 million in dead money.
With a clear need at WR1 and Mike Vrabel, Brown’s former coach in Tennessee, at the helm, the Patriots have emerged as his most likely landing spot. It’s gotten to the point where many believe Philadelphia and New England already have a framework in place and are simply waiting until June 2 to finalize it.
Reports indicate the Patriots are willing to pay at least a first-round pick for Brown. While the thought of Roseman getting his hands on another first isn't fun, it's a small price to pay for not having to face Brown twice a year.
In eight games against the Cowboys, Brown has caught 44 passes for 593 yards and four touchdowns. His 74.1 yards per game would’ve ranked ninth among all WRs last season, and he averaged a whopping 13.5 yards per catch. What he lacked in volume, he more than made up for with efficiency and big plays. Get that production as far away from the division as possible, please and thank you.
We often poke fun at Brown driving a wedge in Philly’s locker room, but if it comes down to him staying an Eagle and sinking the vibes or landing in the AFC, you take the latter every time.
Whether it’s the Patriots or a last-minute suitor, that reality is on the doorstep.
Add us as a preferred source on Google