Columnist Marcus Hayes: Trading A.J. Brown is “Madness,” Eagles Must Target Different Roster Moves
Amidst the volatility of the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason, a firm rebuttal has emerged regarding the swirling speculation over star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes has strongly condemned the idea of moving the All-Pro pass catcher, characterizing the very discussion of trading Brown as “madness.” According to Hayes, if the organization is looking to alter the roster composition, Brown is unequivocally the “wrong Eagle” to move.
The discourse surrounding Brown’s future stems from a combination of the Eagles’ disappointing conclusion to their recent campaign and Brown’s own visible frustrations on the sideline. In the high-pressure environment of Philadelphia sports, body language often fuels trade rumors as much as production. However, a deep dive into the analytics of the Eagles’ offense highlights the risk of such a move. Since arriving in Philadelphia, Brown has been a historic producer, posting back-to-back seasons with over 1,400 receiving yards. His presence has been directly correlated with the elevation of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ performance, serving as the primary engine of the passing attack.
Hayes argues that the narrative surrounding Brown’s emotions ignores the competitive fire required to play at an elite level. The column suggests that while the team may need to shed salary or change the locker room dynamic, those efforts should be directed toward aging veterans on the defensive side of the ball or underperforming contracts, rather than a prime offensive weapon in his mid-20s.
However, the argument for keeping Brown is not without objections. Proponents of a potential trade argue that the Eagles’ salary cap situation requires drastic management and that Brown represents one of the few assets that could command a massive return in draft capital. Skeptics maintain that if there is genuine friction between the receiver and the coaching staff or quarterback, maximizing his value now—before any potential decline or further public outbursts—would be the prudent long-term business decision. These critics suggest that a “reset” might be healthier for the team culture than retaining a potentially volatile star.
Despite these counter-arguments, the prevailing view from Hayes is that talent of Brown’s caliber is too scarce to discard. In a league driven by offensive firepower, subtracting a top-tier playmaker to solve cultural or financial issues often creates a talent void that draft picks fail to fill. For Hayes, the path forward involves the Eagles fixing the environment around Brown, rather than removing him from it.
