Commerce ‘wasn’t my fault:’ A.J. Brown talks transfer from Tennessee Titans to Philadelphia Eagles – Tennessee Titans Weblog

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans basic supervisor Jon Robinson stated the choice to ship star huge receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in a blockbuster deal was made Thursday when the staff realized it could be arduous to get an extension accomplished.

Though coach Mike Vrabel stated the Titans “went to the intense to try to preserve Brown,” Brown informed ESPN that getting traded to the Eagles (in change for the 18th and 101st general picks) wasn’t his doing.

“This wasn’t my fault,” Brown informed ESPN. “I needed to remain, however the deal they provided was a low provide. The deal they provided wasn’t even $20 million a 12 months.”

Brown stated the Titans’ provide topped out at $16 million per season with incentives that will have pushed the deal as much as a $20 million common. At 24 years previous, Brown was getting into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract that will have paid him round $four million in 2022.

Brown had 63 catches for 869 yards and 5 touchdowns in 13 video games final season. Based on ESPN Stats & Info analysis, Brown accounted for 23% of the Titans’ receiving yards final season.

Tennessee completed with a 12-5 document however had an 11-2 document when Brown suited up. Brown surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in his first two seasons, together with a 70 catches and 1,075 receiving yards in 2020 when he hauled in a career-best 11 touchdowns.

Brown has collected 24 touchdowns and averaged 16.2 yards per reception over his first three seasons, which ranks eighth and third, respectively, amongst all NFL pass-catchers over that stretch.

After establishing himself as one of many Titans’ prime playmakers, Brown needed to be paid accordingly. Brown had no intention of reporting to offseason actions in hopes of securing a brand new deal after seeing the explosive enhance in huge receiver contracts throughout the free-agency interval.

The Eagles noticed a chance to get Brown and staff him with quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was closely concerned with recruiting Brown to Alabama earlier than he selected to remain in-state and play for Ole Miss.

“The commerce factor sort of manifested itself from them, and we actually began engaged on that during the last 18, 20 hours,” Robinson stated. “I handled [Brown’s agent], went forwards and backwards actually during the last two to a few weeks and simply realized that the hole was actually too far for us to bridge.”

Brown stated the hole wasn’t as huge as Titans led on to the media.

“I’d have stayed in the event that they provided me $22 million,” Brown informed ESPN.

Brown agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract with the Eagles that features $57 million assured, in line with ESPN’s Kimberley Martin. The $25 million per 12 months common is the fourth highest within the NFL behind Tyreek Hill ($30 million), Davante Adams ($28 million) and DeAndre Hopkins ($27.three million).

With the 18th decide acquired within the commerce, Tennessee chosen Arkansas huge receiver Treylon Burks. He may play reverse newly acquired veteran wideout Robert Woods — who now turns into the No. 1 receiver for the Titans.

Burks has drawn comparisons to Brown due to the same physique varieties and skill to get yards after the catch. As a rookie, Brown was tops within the NFL in YAC — averaging 9 yards per reception. Burks’ 9.four yards after the catch common ranked seventh amongst FBS receivers final 12 months.

“I’ve seemed as much as A.J. all my life,” Burks stated Thursday. “Watched his highlights, sort of mimic myself on sure issues after him.”

The Titans began the draft with Brown on the roster together with seven draft picks.

Now, they’ve Burks and 10 picks after the wheeling and dealing that Robinson made on Day 1, which included buying and selling their authentic first-round decide (No. 26) to the Jets. The Titans additionally traded the 101st decide within the deal for decide Nos. 35, 69 and 163.

The 35th decide additionally provides them a second-round decide, which they did not have coming into the draft.