A.J. Brown's $27.45 million option is still live through September 8

Club PR, June 1, 4:31 p.m.: New England acquired A.J. Brown from Philadelphia for future draft choices. Terms were not disclosed in the Patriots release. This is the trade, not an option-exercise filing.

ESPN remaining-contract math: $1.3 million salary plus a $27.45 million option bonus due the day before the regular-season opener. Kickoff is Wednesday, September 9, so the clock is Tuesday, September 8. Exercise and prorate over five years, about $5.49 million a year plus the salary. Decline and it converts to about $28.75 million against this year's cap.

If New England exercises, the $27.45 million option prorates at $5.49 million a year from 2026 through 2030. If it declines, the whole $27.45 million hits this year. That is contract math, not a club filing that they picked it up.

SI: the Patriots owe $1.3 million in 2026 salary and have until the day before the regular-season opener, September 8, to decide on the $27.45 million option. No new deal has been filed.

Over The Cap currently prints A.J. Brown with a prorated 2026 option. Treat that as a model of the exercise path, not proof New England picked the option up. Watch the club transaction line through September 8.