The opening wave of 2026 NFL free agency changed several rosters, and it also fueled trade speculation around a few veteran players.
While the first week of the new league year focused on massive signings like Trey Hendrickson’s move to Baltimore and Kenneth Walker III joining the Chiefs, it also created internal logjams and salary cap hurdles. Teams are now pivoting to the trade market to recoup draft capital or shed heavy contracts before the NFL Draft arrives in April.
We have seen significant movement already, but the chatter surrounding high-profile names in Philadelphia, New York, and Buffalo suggests more blockbusters are on the horizon. Let’s take a closer look.
Why A.J. Brown keeps coming up in trade chatter?
A.J. Brown has become one of the biggest names in NFL trade speculation, but his situation in Philadelphia is still far from settled. The Eagles do have future cap questions to manage, yet a move involving Brown would be expensive and complicated, especially before June 1. That makes it more accurate to describe him as a star being watched closely around the league rather than a player the Eagles are clearly preparing to move.
The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly held “serious conversations” with the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams regarding a trade for star wide receiver A.J. Brown, though talks have cooled due to the astronomical dead cap hit Philadelphia would face if a deal is completed before June 1.
The Patriots remain a heavy favorite to land the star wideout if a deal eventually materializes, especially given his history with head coach Mike Vrabel. Brown’s production remains elite, but his public frustrations and the team’s need for long-term flexibility have created a rift that might only be solved by a fresh start. If Roseman decides to pull the trigger after the June 1 deadline, he could split the cap hit across two seasons, making a blockbuster move much more palatable for the Eagles’ front office.
Fun fact: A.J. Brown is the only player in Philadelphia Eagles history to record four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, reaching the milestone every year from 2022 through 2025.
Will Kayvon Thibodeaux be moved by the Giants?
Kayvon Thibodeaux has been the subject of trade chatter, but Joe Schoen said at the combine that ‘right now’ he is staying and that the Giants expect big things from him. Despite a standout 11.5-sack campaign in 2023, Thibodeaux’s production dipped significantly over the last two years, leading to questions about his long-term fit in New York. League insiders at the NFL Scouting Combine indicated that the Giants are “listening to offers” for the former fifth-overall pick, particularly with younger pass rushers like Abdul Carter and Brian Burns already commanding significant roles on the edge.
While Kayvon Thibodeaux’s $14.75 million fully guaranteed fifth-year option has fueled trade speculation, Giants GM Joe Schoen recently dismissed the idea of a ‘salary dump,’ stating the team intends to keep him as part of a deep pass-rush rotation for 2026. Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears have been linked to Thibodeaux as potential “buy-low” candidates who could provide the 25-year-old with a change of scenery. For a rebuilding Giants team, moving on from a high-profile selection might be a necessary step to address more pressing needs in the secondary and at linebacker.
Fun fact: Kayvon Thibodeaux is an avid chess player who uses the board game to improve his performance on the football field.
Is Brian Thomas Jr. really available in Jacksonville?
Brian Thomas Jr. has seen his name surface in trade rumors despite the Jacksonville Jaguars’ front office publicly labeling the reports as “fraudulent claims.” Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone was quick to dismiss the idea that the team is shopping their young receiver, but multiple reports suggest that several teams have called to check on his availability.
After a stellar rookie season, Thomas Jr. experienced a sophomore slump in 2025, recording just 707 yards and two touchdowns, which has led to speculation about his role in the team’s future plans.
Despite rumors linking the New York Giants to Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars GM James Gladstone formally dismissed the reports as ‘fraudulent,’ clarifying that no official offers have been made and the team has no intention of trading him. If a team is willing to part with a premium Day 2 pick, Jacksonville might find the offer too tempting to ignore as they look to build around Trevor Lawrence.
Will Keon Coleman get a fresh start in Buffalo?
Keon Coleman’s future with the Buffalo Bills has become uncertain following the team’s blockbuster acquisition of DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. The move to bring in Moore effectively pushes Coleman down the depth chart after a 2025 season where he struggled with consistency and was a healthy scratch for multiple games.
Bills owner Terry Pegula said the coaching staff pushed for Coleman’s selection. While General Manager Brandon Beane and new head coach Joe Brady have expressed a desire to keep Coleman, the reality of the Bills’ roster suggests he is now a luxury asset. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that it would likely take a second- or third-round pick to convince Buffalo to move on from the former Florida State standout.
A team in need of a physical “X” receiver could view Coleman as a high-upside reclamation project who simply needs more targets than he will currently get in the Moore-led Bills offense.
Fun fact: Keon Coleman was a dual-sport athlete in college, spending time on the basketball court for Michigan State before focusing solely on football.
TL;DR
- Trade talks with the Patriots and Rams are on hold, but could reignite after the June 1 cap deadline.
- The Giants are reportedly listening to offers for the edge rusher as they prioritize other defensive positions.
- Despite GM denials, teams like the Giants remain interested in a potential trade for the young wideout.
- The addition of DJ Moore in Buffalo has made Coleman a potential “change of scenery” candidate for receiver-needy teams.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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