It wouldn’t be the offseason if the Ravens weren’t linked to a veteran wide receiver.
With DeAndre Hopkins set to hit free agency next week and Rashod Bateman coming off a disappointing season, Baltimore could benefit from adding another playmaking wideout to complement Pro Bowler Zay Flowers. The Ravens could have a shot at adding one of the draft’s top wide receivers when they are on the clock with the No. 14 overall pick, but with so many glaring needs on both sides of the trenches, addressing the position in free agency or via trade may be a preferred route.
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Thus enters A.J. Brown. The 28-year-old superstar receiver has been rumored to be on the outs with the Philadelphia Eagles following reported friction between the two sides last season. Brown’s discontent with the Eagles’ offense has been an ongoing storyline over recent years, and it appears that the two parties may finally initiate a divorce this offseason.
According to Jeff McLane of Inquirer.com, Baltimore and the New England Patriots are the most likely trade partners if Brown is dealt.
Brown’s physical playstyle and down-the-field contested-catch ability would pair well with the smaller Flowers, who does his best work in the short and intermediate passing game. It remains to be seen how pass-happy new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will be in relation to Todd Monken and Greg Roman before him, but if Brown has been upset with his usage in Philadelphia, then there is the potential for an issue to arise in the future with Baltimore as well. The expected departure of tight end Isaiah Likely will open up more targets for another player, but the Ravens have seldom fielded an offense determined to feed multiple players the ball. Flowers had 79 more targets than any other wide receiver on the team in 2025, though that gap would surely shrink if a player of Brown’s caliber were added to the mix.
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If the reported asking price of a first-round pick and more for Brown is true, then the All-Pro receiver will likely instead join the super team known as the “Almost Ravens.” Eric DeCosta is loath to part ways with significant draft capital, especially when such a deal would have major financial implications, too.
This is an obstacle not just for the Ravens, but for the Eagles too. A pre-June 1 trade would result in a net decrease of Philadelphia’s cap space by $20 million. They would need to be properly incentivized to consider such a move, and DeCosta is certainly not going to overpay in a trade. If the Eagles prefer a post-June 1 trade, then it will simply have to wait until the summer, when everyone may have very different needs and desires.
The implications for the Ravens are a bit different. (Skip down two paragraphs for the quick-and-dirty.) Post-trade, Brown would have four years and $113 million left on his deal ($28.25 million APY). His $29 million compensation in 2026 is already guaranteed, and $4 million of his 2027 compensation guarantees next week. In 2026, Brown’s cap hit would be just $6.79 million, which Baltimore can certainly absorb, though they would owe him $29 million in cash. From there, it depends on how he plays.
If Brown performs well, he will be well worth his 2027 compensation (just over $20 million) with a cap hit of just $10.966 million. Even the next two years’ compensation – about $30 million each year, again with lower cap hit due to option bonus prorations – are reasonable, though Brown will have crossed into his 30s by that point and may also be looking for a new contract. If he does not play well, moving on in 2027 would be doable but not ideal, and moving on at any point after would be relatively easy, at least from a financial perspective.
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In short, Brown would be well worth his contract in terms of cap hit and cash payments in 2026 and 2027. After that, the Ravens could cut or trade him as they please, and could even consider it in 2027 if he does not play well in 2026.
All contract/cap information via OverTheCap. For more on the financial implications of an A.J. Brown trade, check out this article from Jason Fitzgerald.