Eagles and Giants Consider Roster Moves as NFL Season Approaches

With the first NFL game of the 2026 season just 100 days away, both the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants are contemplating significant roster changes concerning prominent wide receivers. Discussions involving A.J. Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. might see decisions by Monday.

Giants Eye Beckham and Other Receivers

The Giants have been in communication with Beckham for over a month. It’s anticipated that the team will bring him to their facility on Monday, as confirmed by OutKick and Fox News Digital.

Alongside Beckham, the Giants are also evaluating JuJu Smith-Schuster, Anthony Miller, and Braxton Berrios. Smith-Schuster’s familiarity with the Giants’ offense, due to his previous season under offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in Kansas City, makes him a strong candidate.

Beckham, 33, seeks to return to the team that drafted him in 2014. He’s eager to secure a contract and showcased his commitment by attending the team’s charity softball game, demonstrating engagement with quarterback Jaxson Dart and his teammates.

Beckham’s desire to play again for the Giants is evident.

The Giants urgently need reinforcement at the receiver position. This necessity arose after Gunner Olszewski’s season-ending injury, believed to be an Achilles tear. Though Beckham isn’t suited for special teams as Olszewski was, he has coach John Harbaugh’s support. He also offers some security given Malik Nabors’ uncertain return after surgery.

Eagles Financially Positioned for A.J. Brown Trade

The Eagles are now in a better financial position to consider trading star receiver A.J. Brown, following the salary cap mechanisms that activate on June 1. These changes enable the team to distribute the dead cap from a trade over several seasons instead of bearing most of it in 2026, which was unfeasible.

Before June 1, parting with Brown would have resulted in a $43.4 million dead-money charge. With the new spread, this amount reduces to $16.3 million for 2026, making a trade feasible.

The Eagles have been in discussions with various teams about a potential Brown trade, with the New England Patriots expressing consistent interest. However, an obstacle remains: the Eagles’ demand for a first-round pick in return.

The Patriots and other teams are reluctant to part with a 2027 first-round pick, according to multiple sources. Despite the newfound financial flexibility, Eagles’ management, led by Howie Rosen, wants to secure what they perceive as Brown’s market value.

Reasons Behind the Potential Trade

The question arises why the Eagles are considering trading a highly skilled player like Brown, particularly when he is in his prime years at age 29. There have been indications of Brown’s dissatisfaction with his role, especially given the Eagles’ shift towards a run-dominated offense centered around Saquon Barkley, reducing his prominence in the passing game.

Brown’s occasional public comments and cryptic social media activities have highlighted his discontent. This has sometimes required explanations from coaches or teammates due to his sizable $32 million annual contract, positioning him as the seventh-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.

The prospect of a Brown trade isn’t surprising to many, as the Eagles have spent the offseason enhancing their receiving options and planning for a potential future without him.

Follow Armando Salguero on X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO

Armando Salguero serves as OutKick’s Senior NFL Writer.