49ers a Dark-Horse Trade Destination for Disgruntled Eagles WR AJ Brown

It's clear things are coming to an end between the Philadelphi Eagles and wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The troubled Pro Bowl wideout hasn't been happy about his role on the team for the better part of a year, and despite the team firing offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, Brown still wants out of Philadelphia.

Though it's assumed Brown will be traded to the New England Patriots and reunite with former head coach Mike Vrabel, some are wondering if there's a chance another team could swoop in at the last minute and pluck Brown away from the Eagles.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently suggested such a scenario could happen, and he mentioned the San Francisco 49ers as a potential dark-horse suitor for Brown.

"The Eagles are under no pressure to get him to another team early next month, though his ongoing tension with the organization is something that would ideally get sorted out sooner rather than later, but there is also the possibility that a contending team loses a top receiver to injury in the next six weeks with spring practices underway, which could spice up the market for Brown," La Canfora wrote.

"The 49ers, who at some point will part with awol receiver Brandon Aiyuk, have a very high payroll as it stands and their cap space has been an issue, but even with Mike Evans there one could make a case for Brown, especially with some of the recent injury with some of their top pass catchers."

Given the Eagles' absurdly high asking price of at least a first-round pick plus more, the 49ers would have to be sure about Brown being the missing piece to their Super Bowl puzzle to part with their 2027 first-round pick.

Next year's draft is being heralded as one of the most talent rich in recent years. Most teams have been unwilling to part with picks in that draft given how deep most scouts have claimed it will be.

But if San Francisco does part with Aiyuk soon, adding a dynamic player like Brown could put its offense over the top.

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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 4:15 AM.