FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS — New England Patriots safety Kevin Byard expressed hope this offseason that his former Tennessee Titans teammate A.J. Brown would be traded to the Patriots after the two players worked out together.

"I was hoping you was about to say A.J. Brown was getting traded to New England. That's what I was hoping for," Byard said. The safety and Brown were teammates on the Tennessee Titans from 2019 to 2021 under head coach Mike Vrabel.

The New England Patriots made an offer for Brown in March 2026, which the Philadelphia Eagles declined, according to reports. The Eagles are reportedly waiting until June 1, 2026 to trade Brown to save salary cap space. A pre-June 1 trade would carry dead-cap charges for the Eagles.

The Eagles are seeking at least a first-round draft pick in return for trading Brown, according to reports. As of March 20, 2026, no trade deal involving Brown had been reported.

Brown has recorded five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and is a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported concerns about Brown's knee health, though Brown continued working out this offseason despite these concerns.

Former NFL wide receiver Julian Edelman posted a GIF of himself and Brown on his X account on March 19, 2026. In the GIF, Brown winked and smiled. "We're all Patriots," Edelman wrote.

Brown responded to speculation about his future. "I was just trolling," the wide receiver said.

Byard played for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 NFL season before joining the Patriots. Kevin Byard is currently a safety for the New England Patriots, having moved from his previous team.