Insider Shares Confidence Level In A.J. Brown Patriots Trade Amid New Reports

Insider Shares Confidence Level In A.J. Brown Patriots Trade Amid New Reports originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots have been linked to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown for most of the offseason, but new reports suggest that a deal may not be a lock.

What started off as a rumor quickly turned into many insiders suggesting that Brown would be traded to the Patriots after June 1. However, in the last week, reports have suggested that the Eagles will still listen to offers from other teams and that the Patriots are not a lock to land him, even though he is very likely to get traded. However, Adam Schefter believes that despite all of the new reports, Brown will end up in New England.

“I will remain in the camp that we’ve been in for the last 6-7 weeks," Schefter said on "The Adam Schefter Podcast" on Wednesday. "Which is that I still think [AJ Brown] is getting traded. I still think he’s getting traded on or shortly after June 1. I still think the New England Patriots are going away the lead contender to land AJ Brown this offseason…These other teams have had their opportunities throughout the offseason…I still think when all is said and done that the Patriots will wind up agreeing to a deal that will land AJ Brown in New England.”

Brown wants to be a Patriot, and there is a need at receiver in New England. The Eagles have pretty much shown their hand by trading for Dontayvion Wicks and drafting Makai Lemon in the first round of the NFL Draft. They've loaded up at wide receiver, which they would have no reason to do if Brown was coming back.

The Eagles can try to build leverage to get a better return, but as Schefter noted, other teams had a chance to make big offers, but the Patriots are the only team that has continuously been linked to Brown.

More Football: NFL Insider Reveals There Is No Deal In Place For A.J. Brown To Join Patriots Yet