A.J. Brown has become a complicated situation for the Philadelphia Eagles. While the team has still found success, even without fully maximizing a superstar receiver, there’s no doubt both sides could end up better off if they eventually part ways.
If Brown can even be labeled a “diva,” it’s understandable. Any receiver would be frustrated not getting the ball despite consistently getting open.
Unfortunately for the rest of the league, Howie Roseman is one of the sharpest executives in football and won’t let Brown go for anything less than proper value. He understands what Brown brings to the offense, even if that offense hasn’t always operated at its full potential. Still, if Brown does become available and the price is within reason, Joe Hortiz should absolutely be looking for a way to bring him to Los Angeles.
The Chargers need to seriously consider AJ Brown after a lackluster free agency period
Mike McDaniel may only be around for one season, and if things don’t go as planned, maybe a second. If Hortiz wants to give both McDaniel and Justin Herbert the best possible chance to succeed, adding a premier offensive weapon like Brown is exactly the type of move that can shift expectations. It would immediately push the Chargers closer to being one of the top teams in the AFC, if not the entire league.
The Chargers already have strong offensive pieces in place. With players like Ladd McConkey, Omarion Hampton, Oronde Gadsden, Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater, and Justin Herbert, the foundation is there. A player like Brown would elevate everything. With McDaniel expected to install a far more dynamic system than what Greg Roman ran, adding a true No. 1 receiver could unlock the offense in a way we haven’t seen.
Could a player taken at pick 22 make the same immediate impact as Brown? It’s possible, but not something you should count on. The contract is obviously a factor, as Brown would be far more expensive than a rookie. But the Chargers have maintained cap flexibility, and if the goal is to become a true contender, that money has to be used somewhere meaningful.
The time for moves like this is now. Brown may never hit the trade market, but if he does, this is the type of opportunity that separates aggressive front offices from passive ones. Hortiz has shown he can make impactful decisions when needed. Bringing in a player like Brown would be a statement move, even if it feels unlikely. Sometimes those are the moves that change everything.