Bad Blood Could Surface When Patriots, Eagles Reunite This Week originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots’ upcoming joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles were always going to attract plenty of attention.
A.J. Brown’s presence adds an entirely different level of intrigue. Brown will practice against his former team Wednesday and Thursday in Foxborough, less than three months after Philadelphia traded the star receiver to New England. The two teams then will meet in a preseason game Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET and will air nationally on NFL Network. Joint practices frequently become heated without any additional motivation. This week will include Brown facing former teammates, Philadelphia confronting the player it traded and two physical teams trying to establish their identities before the regular season.
There might not be a fight, but there are enough ingredients for some bad blood to surface.
A.J. Brown Will Face Eagles For First Time Since Trade
Philadelphia traded Brown to New England on June 1 in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection. The deal ended Brown’s successful four-year run with the Eagles. He recorded 5,034 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns in Philadelphia, earned three All-Pro selections and helped the franchise reach two Super Bowls.
Brown’s final season with the Eagles was accompanied by questions about his role in the offense and his relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Brown later acknowledged that he and Hurts were “not as close as we once were,” although he emphasized there was no animosity between them. Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman said the Eagles explored a trade following a series of offseason conversations with Brown and attempted to find an outcome that worked for both sides.
The public explanation was professional. That does not mean emotions will disappear when Brown lines up across from Philadelphia’s defense.
The practices will provide Eagles defenders their first opportunity to challenge Brown since he changed teams. They also will give Brown a chance to show his former organization what its secondary will be missing.
Brown already has developed encouraging chemistry with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Going against one of the NFC’s most talented defenses should provide the pair with their most demanding test of training camp.
Jalen Carter Sends Message Before Patriots Practices
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter added some fuel to the matchup while discussing the intensity he brings to joint practices.
“If I was to get into any altercations, I don’t try to start them,” Carter told ESPN’s Tim McManus. “I just finish them.”
“If I was to get into any altercations, I don’t try to start them, I just finish them.”
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) August 11, 2026
With Eagles-Patriots joint practices coming up, Jalen Carter talks about the edge he tries to bring in those settings. pic.twitter.com/hQ9dvYjQdi
Carter was not specifically threatening Brown or another Patriots player. His comments nevertheless will attract attention as Philadelphia prepares for two days of competitive work in Foxborough. Joint practices often feature more starters and meaningful repetitions than preseason games. Quarterbacks cannot be hit, but battles along the offensive and defensive lines can become physical quickly. Receivers and defensive backs also have repeated opportunities to go one-on-one.
The Patriots already gained experience in that environment through their joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Brown made headlines during that session with a strong rep against star cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Philadelphia presents an even more personal challenge. Brown could see coverage from former teammates who know his tendencies, while New England’s offensive line will be responsible for keeping Carter away from Maye. Mike Vrabel and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni will be tasked with maintaining intensity without allowing either practice to become reckless.
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Patriots-Eagles Rivalry Gets New Chapter
New England and Philadelphia have plenty of shared history even before Brown is added to the equation. The franchises split two Super Bowl meetings. The Patriots defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, while Philadelphia answered with its memorable 41-33 victory in Super Bowl LII.
Their most recent regular-season meeting came Sept. 10, 2023, at Gillette Stadium. Philadelphia escaped with a 25-20 victory despite New England scoring the game’s final 13 points. Mac Jones’ late comeback attempt ended when the Patriots turned the ball over on downs in Eagles territory.
The teams have not met in a regular-season game since then. Saturday’s result will not count in the standings, and many established starters could have limited roles or sit entirely. The two joint practices might provide the most compelling action of the week.
For Brown, every rep against Philadelphia will carry more meaning than an ordinary training camp matchup. For the Eagles, it will be their first look at the former franchise receiver wearing a Patriots uniform.
Both sides will insist the week is strictly about preparation.
That might remain true. But with Brown’s reunion and Carter’s warning hanging over the proceedings, the Patriots and Eagles will have to work to ensure competitive tension does not become something more.