Eagles stun fans with Patriots decision that puts AJ Brown on awkward collision course with Jalen Hurts

A.J. Brown is set for an immediate, and perhaps awkward, reunion with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was dealt to the New England Patriots in a blockbuster trade earlier this month, ending his four-year association with the Birds.

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Brown topped 1,000 yards during each of those NFL seasons, and helped deliver Philly Super Bowl glory for just the second time in franchise history.

But despite plenty of success, frustration boiled for the wideout, who signed a $96 million contract extension just two years ago.

He was vocal about his lack of production in an offense dominated by duel-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley, and also about his exasperating drops.

Philly’s front office took their time in dealing Brown, but he eventually got his wish after a June 1 deadline allowed the Eagles to avoid a massive $43.45m dead money hit and send him to the Patriots.

Now, he will come face-to-face with his former team ahead of 2026.

Eagles and Patriots to hold joint practice

New England announced on Monday that they will host Philadelphia for two joint practices during training camp.

The move will see the Eagles head to Foxborough on August 19 and August 20 to share the field.

Brown will go up against former teammates Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, as well as Riq Woolen and the rest of the Philly defense.

He will no doubt cross paths with QB Hurts too, who was the source of much of his frustration towards the end of his time with the team.

That storyline alone will make the Pats vs Eagles training camp must-see action.

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“NFL has really turned into reality TV,” one shocked fan said, reacting to the news.

“The storylines write themselves. Defenders vs AJ Brown in practice? Grab the popcorn,” another said.

“Absolute cinema,” a third responded.

Brown, though, won’t be the only New England wideout hoping to make an impression come August.

The Patriots have seven receivers on their roster heading into 2026.

New England WR room to ‘turn it up’ in training camp competition

While Brown will no doubt be seen as Drake Maye’s No.1 target, the team has also brought in $17-million-a-year free agent signing Romeo Doubs.

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Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III also feature on depth chart.

There’s no guarantee that the Pats take all seven into the season, and Hall of Famer Troy Brown believes the competition will be high in practice.

“Seven is a nice number when all the guys can play,” he told ESPN.

“When you have a room like that, most of the good ones know when they come in for training camp they have to turn it up.

“So, it could create a whole another beast in that room.”

With Brown facing his former team, and six other receivers battling for a roster spot, Patriots fans will be counting down the days to training camp.

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