Derrick Henry expressed enthusiasm for the Baltimore Ravens potentially acquiring wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2026 NFL season. Speaking on the Up & Adams Show, Henry voiced his support for a trade bringing Brown to Baltimore, highlighting the benefits for the team’s offense.
Henry Makes a Case for Brown Joining the Ravens
Henry pleaded directly to Brown, saying,
“Please, A.J., come to Baltimore,”
to emphasize how much he would welcome Brown back as a teammate. The two previously played three seasons together with the Tennessee Titans before Brown was traded to the Eagles ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Henry pointed out the strong chemistry he believes Brown would develop with quarterback Lamar Jackson as well as existing offensive weapons Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, tight ends Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely, projecting a powerful offensive unit.
He further stated,
“A.J.’s a dawg… L likes playing with guys who’ve got dawg mentality, so he’ll love A.J.,”
referring to Lamar Jackson’s preference for competitive teammates.
Adding to that, Henry said,
“Him and Zay? That would be crazy. And then Bate, that would be crazy. Mark, we’re gonna get Likely back, we’re cooking.”
Trade Considerations and Timing Challenges for the Eagles
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Brown could be traded this offseason, with the Eagles expected to receive at least a second-round draft pick by the 2025 trade deadline. However, the trade may face financial hurdles due to Brown’s significant dead cap hit on Philadelphia’s salary cap.
Spotrac outlines that trading Brown before June 1 would trigger a $43.5 million dead cap penalty for the Eagles because of bonuses already paid. After June 1, the dead cap would reduce to roughly $16.4 million, while the Eagles would free up approximately $7 million in cap space for the next season.
This structure suggests that any trade would likely occur after the 2026 NFL draft, potentially lowering the draft capital the Eagles could obtain for Brown. Despite these complications, Henry appears eager for the Ravens to add another premier target for Jackson ahead of Jesse Minter’s first season as Baltimore’s head coach in 2026.
Implications for Baltimore’s Offensive Future
If the Ravens manage to reunite Brown with Henry and Jackson, it could signal a formidable boost to their offense, blending experienced and versatile playmakers. With a potential new defensive coordinator and a fresh coaching era beginning under Jesse Minter, strengthening the receiving corps might be key to reaching championship contention.
No dice. The $43M of dead cap comes from 4 already paid bonuses. There's nothing to restructure in 2026 (with any Eagles contract).
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 12, 2026
Doable – but you'd be abandoning 2026 draft picks. Could very well be a summer blockbuster though with 2027 draft picks in mind. pic.twitter.com/KHoF42UtQT
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 12, 2026
