The Indianapolis Colts’ secondary will no longer have to contend with wide receiver AJ Brown this season.
In a long-awaited trade, the Philadelphia Eagles have traded Brown to the New England Patriots. In return, the Eagles received a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The Eagles are on the Colts’ schedule this season in Week 13, a game that will be played in Philadelphia. The Patriots, however, are not on the Colts’ regular-season schedule in 2026.
Brown is about to embark on his eighth NFL season. Up to this point, he has surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark each season, which includes hitting the 1,200-yard threshold in three consecutive seasons from 2022 through 2024. He’s also scored 61 career touchdowns, averaging an impressive 15.2 yards per catch, per PFF.
Brown is a three-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl while in Philadelphia.
After the Colts’ secondary dealt with numerous injuries in 2025, this unit looks to be one of the stronger position groups on the roster in 2026. At outside cornerback will be Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner, with Justin Walley at the nickel.
Then at safety is Cam Bynum, with AJ Haulcy and others competing for the starting role next to him.
Paired with those players is Lou Anrumor’s disguise-heavy scheme to keep opposing offenses guessing.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: AJ Brown no longer on Colts’ 2026 schedule after Eagles-Patriots trade
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
