The New England Patriots may have landed AJ Brown, but the Los Angeles Rams’ reported reason for passing on him adds a worrying layer to the trade.
The concern is not about Brown’s talent. He remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers and gives New England the kind of No. 1 option it badly needed.
The issue is what another aggressive contender reportedly saw before choosing a different blockbuster path.
Jeff McLane says Los Angeles Rams backed away from AJ Brown after reviewing medicals
Speaking on the Uncovering the Birds podcast, NFL expert Jeff McLane explained why the Rams did not end up being Brown’s landing spot.
“The Rams, they were involved in trade negotiations with the Eagles and reportedly, and from what I understand, I’ve confirmed that as well, that they had gotten medicals and they weren’t satisfied with what they saw,” McLane said.
That is the part that should make New England pause. If the Rams were deep enough into talks to review Brown’s medical information, their decision to step away suggests the concern was not casual.
Los Angeles is not a timid team in the trade market. This is a franchise that has repeatedly spent premium assets for stars, which makes its reported hesitation around Brown’s medicals more notable.
Los Angeles Rams choosing Myles Garrett over AJ Brown creates New England Patriots concern
McLane also said the Rams’ stance helps explain why Brown’s market may not have reached the level some expected.
“And that was sort of why they backed out. So that explains why AJ’s value on the market, partly, I think, explains why his value wasn’t what you might have thought it would be,” McLane added.
The Patriots ultimately landed Brown from the Eagles for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, giving Drake Maye a true top receiver.
The Rams went in a different direction, acquiring Garrett from the Browns for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
That contrast is what makes the story uncomfortable for New England. Los Angeles did not avoid risk altogether; it simply chose to spend heavily on Garrett instead of Brown.
Brown can still be a massive win for the Patriots if he stays healthy and gives Maye the physical target the offense has missed.
But if McLane’s report is accurate, the worry is obvious. New England may have accepted a medical risk that another win-now team decided was not worth taking.
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