The Carolina Panthers could potentially pursue this blockbuster trade during the NFL offseason.
The Carolina Panthers shocked the football world by winning the NFC South division title this past season, but it's clear a lot of work still needs to be done.
In spite of the hoopla, the Panthers still went just 8-9 in 2025, and while they obviously showed massive improvement from the year prior, they to add more pieces if they really want to be taken seriously as contenders.
Carolina has needs up and down its roster, and while most of its holes are present on the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers could also use some help at wide reciever.
Beyond Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, Carolina does not have a whole lot of depth in its receiving corps. Xavier Legette is bordering on bust territory, and Jimmy Horn Jr. barely played during his rookie campaign.
In order to best cultivate Bryce Young's development, the Panthers should be looking to add more weapons, and one very intriguing option has surfaced for them: Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown.
The prevailing thought is that the Eagles will trade the disgruntled Brown this offseason, and on Saturday morning, Dianna Russini of The Athletic provided an update on the situation.
"A.J. Brown’s situation with the Eagles is still unresolved, but his relationship with the team remains somewhat tenuous," Russini wrote. "From what I’m hearing, substantial conversations about his future have not yet taken place, but expect talks to ramp up around the NFL combine in two weeks."
Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.It doesn't sound like a reunion is in the cards for Brown and Philadelphia, which opens the door to a blockbuster trade.
Could Carolina get involved?
Brown signed a three-year, $96 million extension with the Eagles in April 2024, a contract that doesn't even kick in until 2027. He is under wraps through 2029.
So, yeah: the financial ramifications for the Panthers could be challenging. Brown carries a $23.4 million cap hit for next season, which is bearable. But by 2029, that cap hit increases to $29.3 million.
For a player of Brown's caliber, that isn't completely awful, but Carolina isn't exactly a top-tier franchise. It needs to watch every dollar it spends, so committing that much money to Brown — who will be 32 years old by the end of his deal — is risky.
Not only that, but Brown has definitely caused some issues in Philly due much in part to his rocky relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Who is to say the same problems wouldn't occur with Young, who has one less Super Bowl ring than Hurts?
The idea of a McMillan-Brown duo is certainly tantalizing, and it could potentially make the Panthers' offense lethal.
But is Brown actually the best fit in Carolina? I'm not so sure.
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