Saquon Barkley ends AJ Brown's flirtation with the Patriots and reveals his future with the Eagles

Trade chatter around A.J. Brown spiked after the season, yet Saquon Barkley has effectively cooled fears of a split, stressing the receiver's bond with the Philadelphia Eagles - despite his long-known admiration for the New England Patriots.

During Super Bowl Week, Brown publicly praised Philadelphia, reinforcing internal confidence he remains central to the club's plans.

Local reporting echoed that stance, indicating the front office has little appetite to move one of its elite playmakers.

"I will say this, I do not want to speak for AJ Brown," Barkley said to the Kincade and Salciunas on 97.5 The Fanatic show. "I love him as a teammate and a brother but he is a huge Patriots fan. He's one of those guys.

"Growing up, I was a Jets fan. My dad has a Jets tattoo. I was able to kind of move on now when I got to the NFL. He's always been a big Patriots fan. I think this year before Dallas, Tom Brady, he was throwing him the ball.

"So, for him, he was like a kid in the candy store. But that wink is just all fun and games but I will tell. I will give the inside scoop. AJ Brown is a big Patriots fan."

Barkley ultimately dismissed alarm outright when pressed, replying simply, "No, I don't think so."

A.J. Brown's opens up on Patriots boss Mike Vrabel

Concern nevertheless flared online when Brown appeared on a podcast with Patriots icons Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, prompting speculation that admiration might translate into future movement.

The Eagles' Super Bowl winning receiver worked with the New England Patriots' Mike Vrable during his time at the Tennessee Titans, and confessed although he didn't like him at the start, he soon came around.

"I didn't like him, and I admit that he knows that," Brown said. "I told [Vrabel] like, 'Hey, like I'm humble already. You don't got to humble me.'

Admitting he struggled to grasp the purpose behind the tough approach at first, it became apparent that Vrabel understood how talented Brown is, and wanted to push him further.

"He showed me another play," Brown added. "I get tackled. He was like, 'What's the difference between the first play and the second play?"

"He was like, 'You're tired. That's not going to cut it. That same mentality that you showed on the first play, you should do that all the time. That's who you are."

Though their relationship began tensely, Brown now recognizes the intent behind Vrabel's methods, and that could potentially coax him to New England?