Howie Roseman got the first-rounder he needed for A.J. Brown in case he has to draft a QB to replace Jalen Hurts

For months, Howie Roseman slow-played the inevitable trade of A.J. Brown as much to maximize draft capital in return as to minimize Brown’s immediate salary-cap hit.

He got a first-rounder from the Patriots.

Well done.

As usual: Well done.

It’s not a 2026 first-rounder, which is what Roseman wanted before the draft, or even a 2027 first-rounder, which would have carried considerably more value than what he actually got: a 2028 first-rounder. (Also, a 2027 fifth-rounder, which will turn into an offensive line project, a career special teamer, or more tradable capital, but in this moment that’s rather irrelevant.)

While it’s not an immediate or pending first-rounder, it’s still a first-round pick, and that was essential. Not for the player it will become; rather, for the value it has as a bargaining chip either this April or next.

Because, sooner or later, Roseman might have to draft a quarterback. Unless the Eagles stink, he’ll have to use lots of draft capital to trade up.

» READ MORE: Marcus Hayes: Good riddance: Superdiva wideout A.J. Brown’s talents couldn’t compensate for all of the headaches

This is a strategy to which Roseman could never admit. Not until it is executed — if it ever is executed. A GM can’t let it be known that his $255 million quarterback, and incumbent starter in 2026, is auditioning to retain that incumbency in 2027 and beyond. That sort of ambivalence could ruin the confidence of even a quarterback as self-assured as Jalen Hurts, whose self-assurance is now his greatest asset since his legs have lost their boost.

Stockpiling the best possible picks might be a transparent strategy for those who care to open their eyes — it must be pretty transparent if I can see it — but Roseman cannot be concerned with subterfuge. His chief responsibility is not to massage the egos of his employees but, rather, to build the best team for the longest time possible.

Given the way the rules have evolved, the most important component of building an NFL team lies at the quarterback position. That means Roseman has the responsibility to ensure the quarterback position remains at least viable, if not elite.

» READ MORE: A.J. Brown isn’t the first star Howie Roseman traded from the Eagles. Here’s how some of the other deals worked out.

There is every indication over the past two seasons that while Hurts, the Eagles quarterback, might be viable, Hurts is — to borrow the infamous phrase used by Phillies president Dave Dombrowski — Not Elite.

New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is installing a brand-new scheme, and there is a very real possibility that Hurts might not be capable of effectively running it. The new offense is supposed to employ more pre-snap motion, more crossing routes, more play-action, and more timing throws to the middle of the field. These are aspects of Hurts’ game that, while often effective, have failed to develop as quickly as other aspects, and either Hurts or his play-callers have used them less frequently.

The new offense is an admission by offensive-rooted head coach Nick Sirianni that his various schemes over his five seasons with four OCs have either not worked, or, at least, have not evolved. Sirianni has had little to do with this decision. Migrating to Mannion’s scheme is a mandate from Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie.

» READ MORE: Mike Sielski: A.J. Brown left the Eagles because he wanted what was best for himself. You’d do the same thing.

If Hurts shows himself capable of adapting to the new style, everybody wins. The Eagles will have their quarterback of the present and the future. Hurts will get a massive contract extension at the end of the season.

However, if Hurts fails to show competence at what Mannion asks him to do, then the Eagles have little choice but to move on from the only quarterback to take them to two Super Bowls.

Yes, it sounds galling. Such is the ruthless nature of the NFL.

» READ MORE: A.J. Brown’s former Eagles teammates react to the trade: ‘It’s a business.’

If the Eagles find themselves compelled to move on after the 2026 season, the crop of quarterbacks available in April is expected to be historic. Depending on who actually declares for the draft (Dante Moore went back to Oregon last spring and fooled everybody), who bounces back from a bad year (LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina), who shows development of raw talent during the season (Jayden Maiava, USC), and who performs well in pre-draft auditions (Julian Sayin, Ohio State), there could be eight first-round picks in the 2027 class and three in the top five.

If Roseman wants a shot at a player like Moore, Arch Manning from Texas, or Drake Lindsey from Minnesota, he’s going to have to make a deal.

» READ MORE: The Eagles’ saga with A.J. Brown is finally over. His trade to the Patriots gives way to questions for both parties.

That’s because the Birds will probably be drafting in the second half of Day 1. If Hurts can’t figure out the scheme but doesn’t play badly enough to get benched — this is the most likely scenario, to be honest — the Eagles should emerge from the 2026 season with 10 or 11 wins. With 11 wins last season, the Eagles held the 23rd pick. So unless Hurts adapts and executes quickly, expect the Eagles’ first-round pick in 2027 to be mediocre at best.

» READ MORE: DeVonta Smith, the Eagles’ unquestioned top receiver, is focused on ‘going out there to do my job’

If that’s the case, they will need draft capital to move up and get the best quarterback they can select. The surest way to acquire that capital was trading Brown for the maximum return, regardless of when the trade was done.

There was never a real chance that Brown would have been traded before June 1. It would’ve taken an overwhelming offer to make the draft-pick value match the $43 million salary cap hit for this season. Both a first- and a second-rounder; maybe a first and a third. No such offer came, according to NFL sources.

So, Roseman waited. He got what he needed. Now, with capital in hand, he can watch the season unfold and see if Hurts is the quarterback of the future — or if the quarterback of the future this season is playing in L.A., Eugene, or Columbus, Ohio.