Eagles GM Details Reason Behind AJ Brown Deadline Decision
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, AJ Brown, warming up prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings on October 19, 2025.
The NFL trade deadline saw a considerable amount of big-ticket moves occur, especially on the East Coast.
The New York Jets traded away defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams and cornerback, Sauce Gardner to the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts, in return for three first round picks and a second rounder over the next two drafts.
The Philadelphia Eagles made their own – albeit far smaller – splash, in acquiring Miami Dolphins‘ former first round edge rusher, Jaelan Phillips, for a third round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft in April.
However, many believed that the team could make a move the opposite way – as sellers – despite the Eagles currently standing at the very top of not just the NFC East, but the whole NFC Conference with a 6-2 record, given the numerous rumors surrounding the imminent future of wideout, AJ Brown.
The Eagles Chose To Stick With Top Wideout, AJ Brown
Brown has been outspoken about his frustration with Philadelphia’s offensive output, particularly in the passing game – something that dates back to last year’s Super Bowl-winning season.
Instead, general manager Howie Roseman, decided against moving the 3-time All-Pro. And when questioned about the lack of a move for the former Tennessee Titan, the long-time Eagles GM shared his reasoning behind not moving their WR1, as reported by EJ Smith.
Howie Roseman when asked if he considered offers for A.J. Brown: “When you’re trying to be a great team, it’s hard to trade great players. A.J. Brown is a great player. He wears the C for a reason. He’s an important part of this team and this organization. … When you’re a team
“When you’re trying to be a great team, it’s hard to trade great players.” Roseman is quoted as saying on Tuesday, per PHLY Sports’ EJ Smith. “A.J. Brown is a great player. He wears the C for a reason. He’s an important part of this team and this organization. … When you’re a team like ours that’s looking forward to an opportunity to compete for a championship, you just don’t get rid of guys like that.”
Brown ‘Hungry’ For Offense To Reach Its Peak
Indeed, for a player as good as former Ole Miss product, who has been in the rare tier of the elite pass-catchers in the NFL for quite some time now, moving off him represents a big, and potentially unnecessary gamble for an Eagles team that is looking to compete and win in 2026 and beyond.
Another reason – as reported by Josina Anderson – is that whilst Brown has been critical of parts of the offense in the past and earlier this season, it comes from a place of knowing the team is strong and yet wanting both it and himself to fulfill their potentials – rather than feeling he is stuck in a dysfunctional organization.
As a league source: “AJ Brown is not miserable. He’s hungry. He’s a player that cares about his team and his legacy. He wants to be among the greats. Every player should want that, & continue to strive for that. So of course he’s going to want to feast. That’s the energy that is… https://t.co/5hai2LMrZy
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 4, 2025
“As a league source: “AJ Brown is not miserable. He’s hungry.” Anderson posted on X onTuesday in response to reports on Roseman’s post-deadline comments on Brown. “He’s a player that cares about his team and his legacy. He wants to be among the greats. Every player should want that, & continue to strive for that. So of course he’s going to want to feast. That’s the energy that is a difference-maker. You don’t get rid of that.”
Broncos QB Bo Nix Gives Strong Reaction After Trade Deadline Decision
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Houston Texans.
The Denver Broncos let the 2025 trade deadline come and go without getting anything done. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix offered strong thoughts about why that was. He also spoke about what it means for the team this season.
It was not as if the Broncos did not try. However, their desire fell short of what was required to make something happen.
For Nix, the decision came as little to no surprise.
Bo Nix: ‘Great’ Broncos Confident Enough to Stand Pat at Trade Deadline
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the New York Giants.
Nix fielded a question about what is says to the team that the Broncos did not go all out to add a piece. Particularly, he was asked what it says about head coach Sean Payton’s faith in the group.
Nix called it “great.”
“Obviously, if there’s a need, you want to get it,” Nix told reporters on November 4. “But we feel like we got all the pieces. And so, sometimes when something like that happens, it shakes things up. And we got something good going, and we just want to keep riding this wave and finding ways to win.”
Much of the conversation around the Broncos’ trade plans stemmed from seeking help for Nix, be it another target or protection amid injuries to their offensive line.
The Broncos attempted to bring in tight ends and explored wide receiver trades.
Their biggest addition was veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis, who will have a bit role on the field and provide a locker room presence. Other than that, it is up to Nix and his current crop of pass catchers to take the necessary next steps.
Broncos WR Reacts to Trade Deadline
GettyTroy Franklin #11 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.
One of Nix’s top targets, current Broncos wideout and former Oregon Ducks teammate Troy Franklin, spoke candidly about the Broncos’ lack of action at the deadline.
According to Franklin, it was not surprising based on what they had been told.
“Sean (Payton has) been telling us all year he loves our team, loves the receiver group and we don’t really need anything, so he’s kept his word,” Franklin said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson in a post on X on November 4.
Payton said leading up to the deadline that the Broncos would be open to a deal. However, that was only if it provided actual value, and not just to make something happen.
Franklin “especially” did not expect a WR move, per Tomasson, but Denver explored its options.
“The Broncos did NOT make a trade before the trade deadline,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens reported on X on November 4. “From my understanding, they looked into making moves, but didn’t force anything.”
Bo Nix: Broncos Looking to ‘Improve Faster’ Than Competition
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos on the field after defeating the Houston Texans.
Nix acknowledged the Broncos’ fourth-quarter prowess has belied the difficulty of scoring. He joked that not facing a top defense like the Houston Texans in Week 9 would help. He also noted that the Broncos are far from satisfied with so much of the season left.
At 7-2, tied for the best record in the NFL, and riding a six-game winning streak is nice, but hardly their end goal.
Their main focus is continuing to improve.
“We have so many things that we want to correct. And we feel like we haven’t even played a complete game offensively, much less, as a team. And so, I think once we start doing that, then we got to be careful about being too lax. But until then, we’re all in a growth mindset, and we’re worried about the things that we can fix,” Nix told reporters on Tuesday.
“Because there’s several of them from each position that we’re trying to focus on. And until we’re hitting all the ones that we need to hit, I don’t think we’re going to be able to be relaxed. Because we have a lot of guys that are competitive. We don’t have a bunch of frontrunners. We just got a locker room full of guys that are trying to race to improve, and improve faster than everybody else in the league.”
