49ers’ perfect A.J. Brown trade offer to Eagles amid injury woes
The Philadelphia Eagles have not lost a step after winning Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia is one of the NFL's undefeated teams heading into Week 5 and their offense is just as dominant as ever. But there has been trouble brewing in paradise surrounding one of Philadelphia's most important offensive players.
A.J. Brown has been the subject of plenty of trade rumors early in the 2025 season. These rumors began after Brown put up two forgettable performances to start the season. In fact, he only hauled in six passes for 35 yards in two games.
And it did not help matters when Brown posted a cryptic message on social media, seemingly validating those trade rumors.
Brown addressed his relationship with the Eagles in an interview with reporters on Wednesday.
“It's fair to want the ball. But it's not a bad thing to want the ball. It's just that it's not about targets or putting numbers up or anything, it's about and I see it as we're struggling,” Brown clarified, per ESPN's Tim McManus. “I'm a guy that wants the ball in those teams — when we can't find a way. When the game is on the line, just give it to me.”
Eagles fans must be thankful that Brown seemingly has no plans of leaving the team. Especially after he looked like his old self in Week 4 against the Rams.
It seems extremely unlikely that Philadelphia would trade Brown away in the first place. Both from a financial standpoint, and because they are still Super Bowl contenders.
But the question remains: what would it take for the Eagles to part with him? And is there any way the 49ers could pry him away before the trade deadline?
Below we will explore the perfect trade offer the 49ers need to make to acquire A.J. Brown from the Eagles.
What would it cost to trade for A.J. Brown?
Let's go over the trade terms before we get into any analysis.
Eagles receive:
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2026 fourth-round pick (compensatory)
49ers receive:
- WR A.J. Brown
That might look like a lot to give up for Brown. After all, the Eagles only traded a first-round pick to acquire him in the first place.
So why would it cost this much (or even more) to acquire Brown?
It starts with how productive of a wide receiver Brown is. He has been an elite receiver for the Eagles every year that he has been in Philadelphia.
Brown has eclipsed 67 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and seven touchdown in each of this three seasons as an Eagle. Philadelphia has made the Super Bowl twice, and won once, with Brown as its top receiver.
That kind of player can be tough to give up.
Beyond the production, there's the financial element at play.
Brown's contract is unique because it includes a minimum base salary. Most of the actual money in his contract comes from his signing bonus, and various other bonuses.
This becomes a problem when talking about trading Brown because only his salary can be traded with him. Any signing bonus stays with Philadelphia's salary cap even after Brown leaves the team.
That's great news for the 49ers, but bad news for the Eagles.
I'm not sure that the above trade package is enough to acquire Brown in reality. But it is about as fair an offer as the 49ers should offer.
How would A.J. Brown change the 49ers offense?
It is hard to undersell how important a player like A.J. Brown could become in San Francisco.
The 49ers are absolutely desperate to acquire another wide receiver. That is one more reason the Eagles can ask for whatever they want in a trade.
San Francisco is already down Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings all due to injury. That leaves Brock Purdy or Mac Jones throwing to Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, and Jake Tonges with plenty of Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield.
The addition of A.J. Brown would immediately make that situation a lot better.
Brown and McCaffrey on the same team alone is enough to keep opposing defenses honest. And it helps to have a special offensive mind like Kyle Shanahan running the show.
But perhaps the biggest benefit of acquiring Brown would be what it would mean for the 49ers in the future.
San Francisco could become an even more dangerous offense one Aiyuk, Pearsall, and Kittle return from their injuries. The 49ers would suddenly have plenty of weapons, one could argue almost too many.
Brown would be the final piece in San Francisco's offense and would keep their Super Bowl window open for multiple seasons.
Ultimately, it is hard to imagine the Eagles trading A.J. Brown at all. Let alone sending him to another NFC superpower.
But there's no denying that the 49ers would be a whole lot better if they added a player of Brown's caliber.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Calls Out Geno Smith: "Step Up or Step Out!"
In an extraordinary display of leadership and pressure, Maxx Crosby, the star defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, has delivered a stark ultimatum to quarterback Geno Smith ahead of their pivotal showdown against the Indianapolis Colts. The message is as clear as it is intense:
Crosby, widely regarded as one of the league’s fiercest defenders, has never been shy about expressing his expectations for his teammates, but his comments about Smith, a former NFL Comeback Player of the Year, have caught the attention of the entire football world.
After a string of underwhelming performances by Smith, Crosby feels that the time has come for his quarterback to deliver. "We need results, we need to win. If Geno can't help us secure a victory in this game, then we have to start considering other options," Crosby stated bluntly in a team meeting that was leaked to the media. "I’m not here for moral victories. We’re in the business of winning football games, and if we can’t get it done, we move on."
Pressure Mounts on Geno Smith
Smith, who had once revived his career with a remarkable 2022 season, has struggled to replicate that form this year. Despite flashes of brilliance, his consistency has been a major issue. In the Raiders' previous matchup, Smith failed to capitalize on key opportunities, throwing two costly interceptions and missing multiple open targets downfield.
Now, with Crosby laying down the law, the pressure is squarely on Smith’s shoulders. His leadership and ability to execute in critical moments will determine whether the Raiders can continue their playoff push or spiral into uncertainty. Head coach Josh McDaniels, who has always been supportive of his players, has publicly backed Smith, stating, “We believe Geno can still turn it around. He’s the guy, and we trust him.” But the question on everyone’s mind is whether McDaniels can afford to continue that support if Smith falters again.
The Colts Challenge: A Must-Win Game
The matchup against the Colts could not come at a more critical time for both Smith and the Raiders. Indianapolis has been solid defensively, and the Colts will be no easy opponent. The Raiders are facing a tough road ahead, and with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, they need to perform at their highest level. Crosby’s words echo the sentiment of a locker room growing increasingly frustrated by missed opportunities.
As for Smith, this game could be the turning point in what has been a turbulent season. "I understand the expectations," he said, his voice steady but resolute. "I’m here to win, and I’ll do everything in my power to get the job done."
Crosby’s Leadership: A Defining Moment
Crosby, known for his ferocious work ethic and unyielding competitive nature, has always led by example. His powerful performances on the field have made him the emotional leader of the Raiders' defense. But now, he’s taking on a more vocal role, challenging Smith to step up and deliver. His ultimatum has sent shockwaves throughout the team, but many believe that it's the kind of tough love the Raiders need to snap out of their slump.
Whether or not Smith can rise to the occasion remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: this is a make-or-break moment for Geno Smith’s tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders.
"The time for excuses is over," Crosby concluded. "It's time to win."
