It’s summer, and in place of the now-buried but fondly remembered E3, several major video game publishers are preparing for their own showcases for what’s coming the rest of 2026 and into the future. The June State of Play is widely speculated to be a huge event, with PlayStation even partnering with Alamo Drafthouse to host viewing parties at cinemas in major U.S. cities. Here is everything we know about the show so far.
The PlayStation State of Play is scheduled to begin on June 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. It is unknown how long the show will last exactly, but PlayStation has stated it will be “more than 60 minutes” worth of announcements, updates, and reveals.
The show can be watched on the official PlayStation YouTube and Twitch channels. The Twitch stream tends to be more up-to-the-second, so hardcore fans may want to note that for their viewing.
As for what could be shown at the show, the only confirmed title set to kick off the event is an extended look at Marvel’s Wolverine. This will be Insomniac Games’ first release since Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 in 2023.
Beyond that is all speculation. Some likely suspects are more roster reveals for the August launch of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. The infamous villain Carnage has been teased in the most recent trailer.
A lot of RPG fans have their eyes peeled for the official title and teaser trailer for the currently unnamed third and final part of the Final Fantasy Remake Trilogy. If that is not at the State of Play, it seems plausible it would be at Summer Game Fest later this week on June 5.
There are several rumors making the rounds about new God of War announcements and initial gameplay of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Naughty Dog’s newest game, which has been in development for quite some time.
There will likely be a few indie titles shown, too, but everything besides Wolverine is just a guess right now. Luckily, fans have less than 24 hours until the show and all is revealed (or at least teased).
The internal combustion engine’s obituary has been written a hundred times. AMG just made it harder to argue with. The 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is the German brand’s first purpose-built electric supercar—and it arrives not with a whimper but with 1,153 horsepower, 1,475 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-to-60 time of 2.1 seconds that puts it in rarefied company. It charges 286 miles of range in 10 minutes. It sounds—convincingly—like a V8. And it was engineered on the same Formula 1 platform that powers the AMG ONE hypercar. This isn’t AMG making an EV because it had to. This is AMG making the case that the electric era can be just as visceral, emotional, and relentlessly fast as everything that came before it. Here’s everything you need to know.
Performance Numbers That Rewrite the Record Books
Raging down the runway like a bat out of hell, the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe will leave your thoughts on the starting line as it scorches to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds. But no time to interpret what just transpired because the dopamine transmitting from your brain will continue to be produced until your reward center has had enough, or when the battery is depleted!
The grounding principle of the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is its electric powertrain and innovative technologies. These include sound manipulation, paddle-shifting simulation, and the emotions needed to replicate the experience of a gasoline V8. Mercedes-AMG’s goal: break away from the feeling that powerful EVs are emotionless and disconnected from the driver. That’s not the case with this all-electric GT 4-Door Coupe.
2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
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Built on the automaker’s AMG.EA electric architecture, the 4-door sports car fuses decades of AMG DNA with a bold electric vision. It carries an F1-based AMG High Performance 800V electric battery. This is, without exaggeration, the most daring production vehicle from Mercedes-AMG. Its capabilities are simply staggering.
0 to 60 mph in 2.1 seconds
124 mph acceleration in approximately 6.4 seconds
186-mph electronically limited top speed (optional AMG Performance Package)
More than 600kW charging capacity (286 miles) in 10/11 minutes
Aerodynamics That Earn Their Keep
Visually, the athletic Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe squats low and wide for aggressive, quick maneuvering like 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. The car features sporty proportions, a shark-nose illuminated grille, and a lowered roofline. Another brand-first, the AeroKinetics suite lets the EV move through the wind swifter than a Peregrine Falcon. It includes a standard retractable rear spoiler that adjusts itself based on speed and driving style. The optional AeroKinetics Venturi Flow adds underbody elements that deploy at certain speeds to stick the car to the road.
The Architecture Behind the Madness
At its nucleus resides a drive concept unprecedented in a series-production vehicle: axial flux motors which are recognized for their compact shape and high-power density. Two electric motors are positioned at the rear axle and one at the front to generate a system output of up to 1,153 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque in the flagship AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupe variant. If you don’t require that level of power for daily satisfaction, opt for the entry-level AMG GT 55 4-Door Coupe, which delivers a still-astounding 805 horsepower.
2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
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The motorsports output from the commingled technologies is validated by the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, which completed 24,901 miles at Nardò in just seven days and 13 hours, setting 25 long-distance records in the process.
“I’ve driven the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe myself many times—and it genuinely stands out. It pushes performance to new limits and delivers the emotion our fans expect—now in the electric era. From my time at AMG, I know how high the bar is set in Affalterbach. With this first model on the new AMG.EA architecture, we don’t just meet it, we move it,” stated Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
The Battery That Makes It All Possible
Energizing this extraordinary drivetrain is the AMG High Performance Electric Battery, a groundbreaking development fusing the technical acumen of the Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar and Formula 1 engineering from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains. The 800-volt (which can drop to 400 volts depending on the market) 106-kWh battery employs 2,660 slim cylindrical cells arranged in 18 plastic modules. Each cell is directly cooled by an electrically non-conductive oil circulating through cooling channels. The result is a battery architecture that retains exceptional performance under repeated, demanding acceleration loads rather than offering just a single dramatic burst followed by thermal withdrawal.
Owning an EV means you must integrate charging at home and on the go into your routine. For example, I installed a Level 2 charger from ChargePoint next to my garage. It’s simple and convenient. The AMG GT 4-Door Coupe also supports peak DC fast charging up to 600 kilowatts. This enables about 460 kilometers (286 miles) of range to be charged in as little as ten minutes at compatible stations. Furthermore, the car is prepared for five international fast-charging standards: NACS in the US, CCS2 in Europe, GB/T in China, CHAdeMO in Japan, and CCS1 in South Korea.
The V8 Experience—Without the V8
2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
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For all its electric sophistication, the AMGFORCE Sport+ drive program delivers what Mercedes-AMG calls the V8 experience. An intelligent real-time mixing system draws from more than 1,600 sound files to dynamically recreate the sonic signature of an AMG V8, anchored by recordings from the legendary AMG GT R. The system interprets acceleration, gear changes, and exhaust burble in real time, pairing these acoustics with haptic traction interruptions during simulated gear changes.
To manipulate the various performance levels of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, seven AMG Dynamic Select drive programs are at your disposal. These are unique driving modes, spanning from Eco, the newest mode, through Comfort, Sport, AMGFORCE Sport+ (which simulates combustion-engine response), Slippery, Individual, and the uncompromising RACE setting.
An Interior Built for the Race Era
2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
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Step inside to witness an interior designed to blend performance and refinement. The dashboard features a 10.2-inch driver display and a 14-inch center multimedia screen, both in a seamless glass design. A standard 14-inch front passenger screen offers independent content, but it’s not essential. In my experience, passengers rarely use it. The Sky Control glass roof can switch between transparent and opaque states, and at night, it projects AMG crests and racing stripes. The optional Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound System completes the curated interior.
Availability and Pricing
The 2027 AMG GT 55 4-Door Coupe arrives at U.S. dealerships later in 2026, followed by the AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupe in early 2027. Welcome to the electric race era, AMG-style.
Since the smartphone revolution, we’ve become spoiled. Everything from our e-readers to our e-bikes has rechargeable batteries built right into the machine. Absolute convenience. But sometimes older tech demands AA or AAA battery cells. If you don’t want to deal with recycling used batteries and hate being forced to go to the store every time you need AAs, this $15 starter set is the way to go.
The Duracell 1000 Rechargeable Set is $15, charges both AA and AAA batteries, and comes with 4 pre-charged AAs ready for you to use immediately. Over 1,000 people have bought this set on Amazon in the past month, where it has earned a 4.6-star rating and over 13,000 rave reviews.
Duracell 1000 Rechargeable Set, $15 (was $26) on Amazon
Charges: AA or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries from any brand
Charge Time: 4-8 hours
Includes: 4 x AA batteries
Included Battery Lifespan: 10 years or 400 recharges
Features: Auto shut-off
This is a humble little kit that feels more and more impressive each time you look at it. You can put any rechargeable NiMH battery, so long as it is AA or AAA size, inside this charger, and it will work. That might not sound like something special, but after working with DeWalt and Milwaukee, it feels like tech from 2076. Speaking of years, the included batteries should last until around 2036, upon which time I imagine the last AA tech will be nearly phased out.
From a price perspective, this kit is hard to beat. The next best set is the Energizer Recharge Pro at $17. It charges batteries in 3 hours or less, as opposed to the 4 to 8 hours of this set, and is only a couple of dollars more, but I’ve honestly never been hopping from one foot to the other waiting on a AA battery, so I’m inclined to stay with Duracell. Both sets are really similar, otherwise, and are likely your best bets on the market, so don’t sweat the small stuff when making this purchase.
Finally, note that you can complete the set for $10 by getting a 4-pack of AAA batteries from Duracell, or take your pick with any other NiMH rechargeables.
One user expressed great happiness with the charger, noting that it has repeatedly delivered “lightning-fast charging time.”
Shoppers also confirm that the included batteries are top-notch. “They arrive ready for use, hold their charge well, and deliver strong performance in high-drain devices.”
Only eight nations have ever won the men’s FIFA World Cup since the tournament began in 1930, which is what makes the “First Time Winner” betting market one of the more fascinating props on the board heading into this summer. Brazil leads all nations with five World Cup titles, while Germany and Italy each have four. Argentina has won three, France and Uruguay have two apiece, and England and Spain each have one title. However, Italy failed to qualify, meaning only seven previous champions are in this year’s field. That leaves 41 nations with a chance to become a first-time World Cup winner. Let’s check out the latest “First Time Winner” odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 27. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Will there be a First Time Winner? Yes: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)No: -280 (bet $10 to win $13.57 total) These odds show just how difficult it historically has been for new nations to break through at a World Cup. The last nation to become a first-time FIFA World Cup champion was Spain in 2010. Additionally, in the last 11 World Cups dating back to 1982, there have only been two first-time winners. However, this summer could be different. The expanded 48-team format in 2026 could create more volatility than ever before, especially with more nations (32) advancing into the knockout stage. Unlike in years past, when a team only needed four knockout victories to win the World Cup, the expanded format demands a much tougher road of five consecutive single-elimination wins and eight total matches to lift the trophy. Several countries near the top of the oddsboard are still chasing their first-ever title. Portugal, currently listed at +1000, has the shortest odds among nations that have never won a World Cup. The Netherlands sits just behind Portugal at +2000, while Norway (+3000), Belgium (+3500), Colombia (+4000) and Morocco (+5000) round out the next tier of nations still searching for their first World Cup title. The U.S. men’s national team currently has the seventh-shortest odds among non-World Cup winners to lift the trophy in 2026, at +6000. On their home soil, could the USA shock the world and become the ninth nation to win a FIFA World Cup?
The head of the baseball players’ association insisted his union will fight management’s salary cap proposal as long as it takes as negotiations proceed with the threat of a lockout that could cancel games next season. Major League Baseball proposed a salary cap last week and appears set to start a lockout after the current labor contract expires Dec. 1. “Our union has never been broken and never will be,” interim executive director Bruce Meyer said Monday during an online news question-and-answer session with reporters. “Our players have what they have, including being the only sport that doesn’t have this ultimate restriction, the salary cap, because our players have always been the most unified and that’s going to continue.” Baseball has had nine work stoppages since 1972, the last a 99-day lockout that slightly delayed the 2022 season. Regular-season games have not been lost since a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95, the last time MLB proposed a cap. The NFL has had a cap since 1994, the NBA since 1984-85 and the NHL since 2005-06. “The unions in the other sports didn’t agree to salary-cap systems because they thought it was a good thing for players. That’s not what happened,” Meyer said. “In one way or the other, they were not able to fight the way that our union has and not criticizing anybody, it’s just a fact. Our union has always been the most solid, and that’s why our union has the best system.” Negotiators have not scheduled the next bargaining session. The union last week proposed expanded free agency and salary arbitration rights along with almost doubling the major league minimum and increasing revenue sharing. MLB’s proposal last Thursday would cap team spending in 2027 at $245.3 million, using figures for luxury tax payrolls that include $20.1 million for benefits and the pre-arbitration bonus pool. It also would establish a payroll floor of $171.2 million, forcing some teams to spend more. The Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball’s biggest spenders, had a $415.2 million payroll on opening day this year — around $170 million over the proposed cap. “Our salary cap and floor proposal addresses our fans’ concerns by leveling the playing field while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50 like the other leagues,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. “Our salary cap and floor proposal addresses our fans’ concerns by leveling the playing field while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50 like the other leagues. Under our proposal, major league players will receive more compensation in year one of the system than in 2026.” Los Angeles shattered MLB’s spending record with a combined $515 million in payroll and luxury tax last year en route to its second straight World Series title. Los Angeles’ total was seven times the $68.7 million payroll of Miami, the lowest-spending team, and more than the payrolls of the bottom six clubs combined. Meyer likened a cap to “Big Brother” telling a team it can’t sign a player it wants to. “At a time of exploding popularity, growth and interest, the owners’ goal is more money in the pockets of owners,” he said. “Don’t blame them for that, but that’s what it is. Whether it’s more in profits because they’re holding down labor costs or growing their franchise values.” Meyer dismissed MLB’s contention that payroll disparity causes fans of lower-spending teams to lose hope. No small-market team has won the World Series since the 2015 Kansas City Royals. “We do not accept the premise that there’s some existential crisis going on,” he said. “People are still lining up to buy these teams, to get in whether as a minority investor or otherwise and that’s because the sport is extremely healthy.” He pointed out lower-payroll teams do reach the 12-team playoffs and Cincinnati got in last year while the New York Mets did not. Six postseason teams had payrolls above $200 million last year and MLB emphasizes high-spending teams usually dominate the later rounds. “We don’t want money to be taken away from teams that want to spend it and give it to teams that don’t want to spend it,” Meyer said. “We want to encourage more San Diegos. San Diego is a small-market team that went out, decided to compete, signed a lot of players, turned around their franchise.” MLB’s proposal calls for a 50-50 split with players of defined revenue, including for players spending on signing bonuses for players from high school and college, and international amateurs agreeing to initial contracts. “It’s not even a real 50%. It’s taking billions of dollars off the top before they’re proposing to even share any of that,” Meyer said. “Players’ share under their proposal would go down. Players’ share for this season, 2026, is projected to be well over 50%. … Had MLB’s proposal been in place in 2026, players would, we estimate — would lose over half a billion dollars.” He faulted MLB for how it defined revenue and spending. “Their proposal of course excludes things like expansion fees, franchise values, the place where they make their most money,” he said. “Their proposal deducts billions of dollars in expenses … so it’s not even a real 50%.” “They’ve effectively managed to cobble together the worst system for players in any of the major sports, and not even close,” Meyer added. Players contracts this year, using average annual values and including benefits and the pre-arbitration bonus pool, total $6.14 billion, according to MLB’s opening-day figures. Slot values signing bonuses in this year’s amateur draft come to about $359 million and international signing bonus pools to $208 million. Under MLB’s proposal, there would be an escrow system in which players would have money withheld in the event their share of revenue rises above the specified amount. They would get more money if their share falls short. “If revenues are soft or they go down, then that means players at the end of the day won’t get the guaranteed money,” he said. Meyer also said some teams heighten disparity by not spending on players. “Every team now has the ability to put a competitive team on the field, every single team,” he said. “One of the things that I find kind of ironic in a perverse way, if team X decides we’re not going to spend money on players, well that increases the disparity in payroll.” Reporting by the Associated Press.
Making the World Cup doesn’t mean you’re expected to make goals. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Let’s check out the odds for which teams are expected to score the most, and subsequently, the fewest, as of May 27 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Highest scoring team Spain: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total)France: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Brazil: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)England: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Argentina: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)Germany: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)Portugal: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total) What to know: In 16 World Cup appearances (this will be its 17th), Spain has scored 108 goals, an average of 6.75 goals per tournament. In the 2022 World Cup, the Spanish scored nine goals in group play, but didn’t find the back of the net in the Round of 16, where they fell to Morocco on penalties. France and Brazil scored six and three goals in group play, respectively, in 2022, and France scored 10 more in the knockout stage to finish with a tournament-best 16 goals. In 2018, Belgium led the way with 16 goals, and in the three World Cups that took place from 2006-2014, Germany scored the most goals in all three (14, 16 and 18 goals). Spain has never led the tournament in most goals scored. All-time, Brazil has the most World Cup goals scored (237), followed by Germany (232), Argentina (152), France (136), Italy (128), Spain (108) and England (104). Lowest scoring team Curaçao: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)Haiti: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)Cape Verde: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)Jordan: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)Iraq: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)Uzbekistan: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)New Zealand: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)Panama: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total) What to know: Curaçao is making its first World Cup appearance in 2026. This will be Haiti’s second appearance, after making it way back in 1974. That year, the Haitians scored twice in the group stage. Cape Verde and Jordan, like Curaçao, will make their first World Cup appearances.
Liverpool’s search for a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah has hit a significant roadblock as Paris Saint-Germain appear to have moved into pole position for one of Europe’s brightest talents. The Ligue 1 champions are reportedly closing in on a deal for RB Leipzig starlet Yan Diomande after the player gave his approval for a move to the Parc des Princes. PSG Jump The Queue For Ivorian Star Luis Campos is wasting no time in reshaping the PSG squad following their recent successes. The sporting advisor is acutely aware of the need to refresh Luis Enrique’s options to avoid the “extreme fatigue” and physical toll that impacted the squad during their marathon campaign. With a focus on long-term sustainability, the Parisians have identified a clear need for a dynamic presence on the right flank. While the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola prefer operating from the left, and Ousmane Dembele has increasingly transitioned into a central role, the right wing has emerged as a priority area for reinforcement. Yan Diomande has been identified as the ideal profile to fill this gap, moving PSG into direct competition with Liverpool, who had earmarked the teenager as the priority signing to eventually replace Mohamed Salah. Verbal Agreement Reached With Diomande The race for the 19-year-old has taken a decisive turn in favor of the French giants. According to Sky Germany, Diomande has already given his green light to join PSG, a move that represents a significant step forward in the recruitment process. The club hierarchy reportedly waits for such a display of mutual interest before finalizing their tactical moves in the market. The Ivorian international has reportedly been less than enthused by the prospect of joining Bayern Munich, despite the Bavarian club showing strong interest in his services. While he remains intrigued by the project at Anfield, the momentum has clearly shifted toward Paris, leaving the Merseyside club with a major battle on their hands to convince the player otherwise. Leipzig’s Firm Stance RB Leipzig find themselves in a powerful negotiating position. Diomande arrived in Germany only last summer from Leganes and is currently tied to a contract that runs until 2030. Having been named the Bundesliga’s best young player of the season after a campaign that yielded 13 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances, his stock has never been higher. The German outfit is expected to demand a premium fee for their prized asset. PSG, however, are determined not to overpay, maintaining the stance that they already possess a squad brimming with top-tier talent. Competition Fades As PSG Leads The Race The complexity of the deal has seen other suitors begin to fall away. While Liverpool’s interest remains legitimate, the presence of multiple mandates on the player’s side has complicated proceedings for many interested parties. PSG’s proactive approach and their ability to secure the player’s preference early on has given them a distinct advantage over their European rivals. Ultimately, the move will hinge on whether PSG and Leipzig can find common ground on a transfer fee. With the player seemingly set on a move to France, Liverpool may be forced to look elsewhere in their search for a world-class winger capable of filling the void that will eventually be left by Salah’s departure. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19). The opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as well as the USA’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
When will Team USA lose in the 2026 World Cup? Or, will it not lose at all? Let’s check out the odds for the Americans’ stage of elimination at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 29. Team USA — Stage of elimination odds Last 32: +170 (bet $10 to win $27 total)Last 16: +220 (bet $10 to win $32 total)Group stage: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Quarterfinals: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Semifinals: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)Runner-up: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)Outright winner: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total) This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. The outlook appears to be … ho-hum? If the odds ring true, the Americans are expected to make it out of the group stage but fall in the first knockout stage game. How would that result stack up against previous results? Well, at the 2022 World Cup, Team USA made it to the Round of 16, which was viewed as a stellar accomplishment. In 2018, the USA did not qualify for the World Cup, and in 2014 and 2010, the Americans also made it to the Round of 16. Their best result this century occurred in 2002, when the Americans made it all the way to the quarterfinals before being eliminated. In 1998, Team USA lost in the group stage, in 1994, it fell in the Round of 16, and in 1990, it also fell in the group stage. The second result on the oddsboard is the “Last 16,” meaning the USA would make it out of the group stage and win one knockout stage game, before falling in the second knockout stage game. The third result is that the Americans failed to make it out of the group stage, and the fourth is that they made it to the quarterfinals, meaning they won two knockout stage games. Making the semis, losing in the championship game and winning the championship are the three results with the longest odds.
The day has finally come. The trade was announced. Wide receiver A.J. Brown has been moved from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots in return for draft compensation, including a 2028 first-round pick. So which team and which players benefit, and who could take a step back after this blockbuster deal? FOX Sports’ First Things First crew couldn’t agree on a unanimous winner. It’s a fair conclusion as there are reasons both sides had for agreeing to this trade. Brown is an elite talent, who’s surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in six of his seven NFL seasons. A three-time Pro Bowler, he’s totaled double-digit touchdowns in two seasons for two different franchises — the Eagles and Tennessee Titans. But now he goes to his third team, reuniting with former Titans and current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, after a tumultuous and drama-filled fourth year in Philadelphia. Because of Brown’s combination of talent and personality, both the Eagles and Patriots could come out as the winner or loser of this trade. For the Eagles, it will yield clear results of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ caliber. “It will be interesting to see what the Eagles look like without A.J. Brown because he was a key contributor to who they were and how they were able to unlock the offense,” Greg Jennings said. Hurts’ early-career success has largely been helped by a stacked receiving core, including Brown, Devonta Smith and running back Saquon Barkley. With the clear alpha of the group, in Brown, gone, Hurts will be tested to lift up his targets. The Eagles did, however, add receiving depth in preparation for this trade, drafting Makai Lemon in the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and signing free agents Dontavion Wicks, Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore. So there’s enough firepower for Hurts to succeed. Thus, he can be rightfully praised if the Eagles do well, and blamed if they falter. Jennings predicted the latter. “When you no longer have the bona-fide, bail out, safety valve, that was A.J. Brown — When it came time to bail out that offense, whose number was dialed? Eleven. A.J. Brown,” Jennings said. “I’m not bullish on the idea that it’s addition by subtraction. I’m not because there’s a lot of unknown.” Danny Parkins went one step further. “I think it’s on the board that 2028 first-round pick is used to draft Jalen Hurts’ replacement,” Parkins said of the compensation Philadelphia received for Brown. “There’s a ton of pressure on Jalen Hurts. I think Devonta Smith is a legitimate No. 1, and then every move they did around it is at least somewhat of a flier… So they’re going to say, ‘Alright, (Hurts), let’s see what you can do.'” If that’s the case Chris Broussard’s confident Hurts is up for the challenge, and ready to rise above Brown’s shadow. “It’s probably a relief for Jalen Hurts that you don’t have this guy in your ear demanding the football, on the sidelines demanding the football,” Broussard said, referring to Brown’s antics this past season as “a constant distraction.” “I think Jalen will be fine without A.J.,” Broussard added. As for the Patriots, they’ll hope Brown’s dramatic ways end now that he’s reunited with Vrabel, and paired with quarterback Drake Maye, “a quarterback who can push the ball down the field,” Jennings said. Jennings predicted that Brown would see 150 targets with Maye in 2026, which would be the second most of his career. That volume would give him every opportunity to back up his talk. “I bet A.J. Brown is thrilled,” Jennings said. “I’m excited because now the Patriots get a bona fide, No. 1 receiver. A.J… He can be featured. He can be the guy.” After a four-win season in Maye’s 2024 rookie year, the Patriots bounced back in a significant way, finishing 14-3 and winning the AFC Championship. Their run to Super Bowl LX, where they lost 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks, though, came without a true, No. 1 receiver. So Brown, seemingly, represents that missing piece. “It’s obviously great for Drake Maye. It’s very good for the Patriots, especially in the short term,” FOX Sports’ Nick Wright said. “The Patriots are trying to take advantage of Drake Maye’s rookie contract.” Broussard, however, says he’s not “sitting here saying they’re the team to beat in the AFC.” Only time will tell how the A.J. Brown trade impacts the Eagles and Patriots. But for two teams who are linked by two historically great Super Bowls — in 2005 and 2018 — this deal certainly ties their fate together, again.
