When the Buffalo Bills attempted to trade for WR Jaylen Waddle last season, the Miami Dolphins said no. They didn't want an AFC powerhouse getting their hands on a young, talented receiver. Something must have changed; The Dolphins traded Waddle to the Denver Broncos, helping the team that eliminated the Bills from the playoffs in January secure their offense for 2026 and beyond.
As the AFC enters an arms race, A.J. Brown's trade market is heating up. Despite trading for D.J. Moore, Bills fans won't like where it may lead to.
The A.J. Brown trade market
Of the three teams that Joseph Zucker Bleacher Report listed as potential landing spots for Brown, two of them are nightmare scenarios for the Buffalo Bills. One team doesn't seem involved anymore. The L.A. Rams are no longer interested, per Ian Rapoport. The only other names on Zucker's list are the Kansas City Chiefs, or the New England Patriots.
The Kansas City Chiefs aren't the fearsome foe the Buffalo Bills have known, but fans would rather they stay that way. A resurgence would be heartbreaking for a fanbase relishing the end of an era.
Clearly the Chiefs believe there's something to be salvaged- Travis Kelce is returning and they've signed Kenneth Walker III at running back- Making a move like this wouldn't be surprising. The money would take a little negotiating, but giving Patrick Mahomes a receiver like A.J. Brown would be another headache for the Bills.
On the other side of the coin, the New England Patriots aren't done shopping. They separated from WR Stefon Diggs this offseason, but bought Romeo Doubs in free agency and remain active. Doubs may not be the true #1 they seek, but A.J. Brown surely is. Frustratingly for the Buffalo Bills, having another powerhouse in the AFC East seems likely. A move like this would make the division title very hard to reach indeed.
The asking price
The Eagles have already turned down offers for the stud WR. Their asking price may end up scaring teams away totally. The deal may be affected by the Jaylen Waddle trade, where a first and third-rounder went to Miami for the wideout. If the difference of one round between draft picks was the thing keeping the Eagles from selling, it won't be an obstacle much longer.
As free agency carries on, A.J. Brown becomes the prized WR of a strangely hot-and-cold market. His relationship with the Eagles is a sour one, as evidenced on the sidelines last year. Yet, despite the conflict, he remains one of the best available players for any contending franchise. Be it to the Chiefs, Patriots, or a yet-unknown team, a potential A.J. Brown trade will be league-rocking.