New England Patriots

The reported June 1 green light date is Monday.

The A.J. Brown trade saga could be over soon.

The New England Patriots continue to be heavily linked to the Philadelphia Eagles three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver. Several NFL reporters have identified the Patriots as the lone team in the sweepstakes and said they would be surprised if New England didn’t acquire him.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer seems to have gained new intel on the Brown situation. He reported Friday that there is “framework in place” for a trade between the two teams.

“My understanding is the framework is in place for a trade to be made early next week that will make A.J. Brown a Patriot,” Breer said on NBC Sports Boston’s “Early Edition.” “The exact terms, the details, I still think there are some things to be worked out there. But I think it would sort of take someone backing out at this point, whether it’s the Eagles or the Patriots, for it not to happen.”

The potential deal, which has been rumored for months, is expected to be finalized on or after Mon., June 1, because of salary cap implications for the Eagles.

If Philadelphia were to trade Brown pre-June 1, it would face a $43.5 million dead cap hit. However, a post-June 1 deal would ensure the Eagles only take a $16 million hit to their salary cap.

As Breer noted, it’s unclear what assets New England would have to give up in a deal for Brown. Philadelphia reportedly has sought a first-round pick and then some, but will the Patriots be inclined to deal away such a high selection?

Despite Breer’s report, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport isn’t so sure a deal is close. Rapoport said earlier this week the Patriots “are not willing” to part ways with a first-rounder and the sides “aren’t particularly close” on a trade agreement.

“I just don’t know it’s snap your fingers and the deal is done, because the two sides are where they had been, which is the Eagles wanting a first-round pick in 2027,” Rapoport said Wednesday.

“The Patriots, the most likely destination — we’ll see if someone else arises — but the Patriots, the most likely destination, [are] not willing to give up a first-round pick as of right now,” he added. “That means they’re not particularly close and that means there’s a chance this could drag on for the foreseeable future.”

As it pertains to the rumored first-round non-negotiable for Philly, Breer said if the Patriots ultimately say yes to giving up a first-rounder, either a 2027 or 2028, he “thinks it gets done.”

It’s up for debate whether Brown is worth the cost at age 28 (29 on June 30) and coming off a down year by his career standards. But with Stefon Diggs out the door and third-year quarterback Drake Maye still on a rookie contract, New England could be willing to agree to the Eagles’ terms to maximize their roster and contend for the postseason again.