Why did the Titans trade A.J. Brown? Deal with Eagles, Treylon Burks draft selection fueled by WR’s contract desires

Total times read this article : 14

What can Brown do for you?

In an offseason of insane wide receiver drama surrounding contracts and trades, it seems a little easy to forget that the Titans shipped AJ Brown off to the Eagles during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

As is the case with most players who end up moving on to other, greener pastures, green is at the center of it. Brown ultimately signed a four-year, $100 million pact with the Eagles when he was traded, thus ending a saga of wondering when — and where — his next contract would come.

MORE: How to watch NFL ‘Monday Night Football’ game online without cable

Now, Brown is suiting up for Nick Sirianni on Monday night, while the Titans try to fill a suit without him vs. the Bills in Week 2. 

Here’s why the Titans moved on from the star wideout, and why Tennessee ultimately decided to draft his replacement:

Why did the Titans trade AJ Brown?

Rod Tidwell said it best: Show me the money.

In an offseason that featured new, massive deals to Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown was seemingly next in line to come due for a new deal. Entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, Brown had emerged as one of the best wide receivers in football, but a new contract seemingly wasn’t on the horizon for him.

In a series of cryptic tweets sent during the offseason, Brown seemingly voiced his displeasure with the way Tennessee handled negotiations. GM Jon Robinson made it clear that Tennessee’s intention wasn’t to trade him, but ultimately, that rang a bit hollow.

Coincidentally (or maybe not), during the discourse, Brown was seen working out with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts just days before he was sent to the Eagles.

Ultimately, Tennessee brass shipped off off Brown to the Eagles on draft night, sending the receiver to Philadelphia for a first-round pick (which turned out to be Treylon Burks) and a third-round pick.

GM Jon Robinson explained why the Titans were in a position that they “had to” trade Brown.

“We got to a spot where it was hard to get a deal done,” Robinson said on draft night, alluding to a disparity in contract numbers. “And the trade thing kind of manifested from that.”

Why did the Titans draft Treylon Burks?

Coming back to Tennessee in the trade for Brown was one of Philadelphia’s first-round picks, No. 18 overall, which turned out to be Arkansas wideout Treylon Burks.

Burks was widely considered one of the best receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft. While he wasn’t quite in the class of Drake London, Garrett Wilson and Jameson Williams, his name was frequently mentioned among the best of the rest.

MORE: Vikings vs. Eagles odds, prediction, betting tips for NFL Week 2 ‘Monday Night Football’

Burks’ draft stock was slightly hindered by a rough combine: He measured a bit slower on his 40-yard dash time than what was expected (4.55), and also put forth poor efforts in agility drills. That essentially tanked his Relative Athletic Score (RAS).

Still, his game tape doesn’t exactly lie.

Coincidentally, Burks drew comparisons to Brown for his frame, and also 49ers star Deebo Samuel for his shiftiness and ability to make things happen with the ball in his hand.

A less-than good combine still didn’t drop his stock too far, obviously, as he ended up with the Titans.

Whether or not he can fill Brown’s cleats is a different story altogether.

Facebook Comments Box

Hits: 0

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR