NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee TitansJon Robinson, general manager, announced the decision to send star wide receivers A.J. BrownTo the Philadelphia EaglesIn a blockbuster dealThe team realized that it would be difficult to extend the deadline on Thursday.
Mike Vrabel, Titans coach said that they “went to extremes to try to keep Brown,” but Brown stated to ESPN that he wasn't responsible for being traded to Eagles (in return for the 18th and 101st picks).
Brown stated to ESPN that this was not his fault. “I wanted stay, but they offered a low offer. They offered a deal that was not even $20 million per year.
Brown stated that the Titans offered $16 million per year with incentives, which would have driven the average deal to $20 million. Brown, who was 24 years old, was entering his final year of his rookie deal that would have paid him $4 million in 2022.
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Brown caught 63 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns last season. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Brown accounted for 23% of the Titans' receiving yards last season.
Tennessee finished the year with a 12-5 overall record. Brown, however, had an 11-2 record at Brown's time. Brown's first two seasons saw him surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark, with 70 catches and 1,075 receiving miles in 2020. His career-high 11 touchdowns was also recorded.
Brown's first three seasons have seen him accumulate 24 touchdowns and average 16.2 yards per reception, ranking eighth and third respectively among all NFL pass-catchers.
Brown, who had established himself as one the Titans' most important playmakers, wanted to be paid accordingly. Brown did not intend to report for offseason activities, hoping to secure a new contract. This was despite seeing an explosive rise in wide receiver contracts during free-agency.
The Eagles spotted an opportunity to acquire Brown and pair him with quarterback Jalen HurtsBrown, who was heavily involved in recruiting Brown to Alabama, before he decided to stay in-state to play for Ole Miss.
Robinson stated that the trade idea “kind of manifested from them, and that we really began working on it over the past 18, 20 hours.” “I dealt avec [Brown's agent]I went back and forth for the past two to three weeks, and then realized that the distance was too great to bridge.
Brown stated that the gap was not as large as the one Titans created for the media.
Brown stated to ESPN that he would have stayed even if offered $22 million.
According to ESPN's Kimberley Mart, Brown signed a four-year contract worth $100 million with the Eagles. It also includes $57 million guaranteed. The average annual salary of $25 million is fourth in the NFL. Tyreek Hill ($30 million), Davante Adams($28 Million) DeAndre Hopkins ($27.3 million).
Tennessee acquired the 18th selection in the trade and selected Arkansas as its wide receiver Treylon Burks. He could be a veteran wideout who has just been acquired. Robert WoodsWho now becomes the No. Titans No. 1 receiver
Burks is often compared to Brown due to the similarities in their body types and ability get yards after the catch. Brown averaged 9 yards per reception as a rookie and was the top NFL player in YAC. Burks' 9.4 yard average after the catch was seventh-best among FBS receivers.
“I’ve looked up to A.J. Burks stated Thursday that he has looked up to A.J. throughout his entire life. “I watched his highlights. I tried to mimic him on certain things.”
The Titans began the draft with Brown and seven draft picks.
They now have Burks and 10 picks. This is after the wheeling-dealing that Robinson performed on Day 1. It included trading their first-round pick (No. 26) to the Jets. In the deal for pick Nos. 101, the Titans also traded that pick. 35, 69, and 163.
The 35th pick gives them a second round pick which they didn’t have prior to the draft.