NFL Rumors persist as Rams / Patriots remain in pursuit of Eagles AJ Brown

While it seems a bit over the top to believe that Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead is actively pursuing a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver AJ Brown, let's try to keep an open mind. Fans know that general manager Les Snead is willing to stop at nothing if he believes LA must be all-in to optimize the final chapter of a veteran player.

And the return of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has triggered the all-in playbook.

Los Angeles is an easy mark in those circumstances. Because they have gone over the top in the past, and can reasonably be expected to do so now, it's simply quite easy to mention them in any and every potential major NFL trade. One such NFL rumor has already panned out, as Los Angeles did in fact trade a king's ransom of picks for Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie.

So why not another? The Philadelphia Eagles are in a bind. Either they must walk away from tight end Dallas Goedert, or trade wide receiver AJ Brown. They cannot do both, but must do one. And so, NFL rumors persist.

The Rams roster does not need a veteran wide receiver to pair up with two elite receivers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But need does not motivate Snead; opportunity does. Of course, fans have every right to ask if these rumors pass the sniff test. Or is this all just leverage to force the New England Patriots hand to meet Philly's asking price?

You decide.

Why won't these Rams rumors go away, already?

To understand the persistence of NFL rumors, one must question who and why the information is being leaked. Player representatives leak interest in their client to drive up the price. So too does the team hoping to trade a player.

Conversely, teams that want the asking price to come down will leak rumors about looking at other players or how the asking price is too high. Bidding teams can even pretend that medical flags, personality clashes, or contract demands have hard-halted a potential trade.

The Philadelphia Eagles are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They want to bring back tight end Dallas Goedert. But to afford that, they must trade away wide receiver AJ Brown. So Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is painted into a corner.

And Les Snead would love to help him out, at a discount.

Philly has pushed back the deadline for a decision about Goedert's future twice. With each extension, the action breathes new life into the Brown trade rumors. But something has to give. Neither the Patriots nor the Rams are rushing to pay a premium price to help Philly out of a tight salary cap spot. Either Roseman lowers his asking price, or he allows Dallas Goedert to find a new team.

And he's in a race against time.

Philadelphia's interests hinge on making a deal happen. LA and New England can play the waiting game, expecting Roseman to lower the asking price or take a huge hit to his salary cap. Expect more whispers and rumors through Monday. After that? Who knows...

As always, thanks for reading.