FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- A few quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. A.J. compensation: What might the Patriots trade to the Eagles for receiver A.J. Brown?
Now that the NFL draft is over, it is one of the most fascinating questions across the NFL.
The way both teams approached the draft seemed to reinforce Adam Schefter's report that a deal is likely to happen on or after June 1. The Eagles, who had been stocking up at receiver leading into the draft, traded up for USC receiver Makai Lemon in the first round at No. 20. Meanwhile, the Patriots stayed away from receivers altogether and jersey No. 11 remains open in anticipation of Brown's arrival.
The two sides have discussed a deal, according to Schefter, but neither has been willing to commit to it before June 1 -- when the Eagles could split Brown's $43 million dead salary cap charge between this year and next.
As for what those discussions might have entailed, and how the teams are working toward a possible framework, Dave Caldwell has had experience in similar situations.
The 52-year-old Caldwell, who was recently hired as University of Florida football general manager, served as senior personnel director/advisor to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman from 2022-2025. He was also the Jacksonville Jaguars general manager from 2013-2020, during which time he navigated a high-stakes trade of cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
"There's so many variables that go into it, because no two trades are the same," he said, specifying he was speaking in general terms and not about Brown.
Historical precedent is a common place to begin discussions.
"You're looking at the value of what you think the player is," Caldwell said. "Both sides can agree on that -- 'hey, he's a Pro Bowl level player and historically, a Pro Bowl-level player at this position, at this age, at this stage of his career, have gone for this. That's it in a vacuum."