A.J. Brown blames Titans after trade to Eagles: 'I wanted to stay'

Wide receiver A.J. Brown insists that the trade sending him from the Tennessee Titans to the Philadelphia Eagles is not on his shoulders.

"This wasn't my fault," Brown told ESPN's Turron Davenport. "I wanted to stay, but the deal they offered was a low offer. The deal they offered wasn't even $20 million a year."

Brown said the Titans' best offer would have paid him $16 million per season with incentives that could bring his average annual salary closer to $20 million.

"I would have stayed if they offered me $22 million," he said.

The Titans traded Brown to the Eagles for the 18th overall selection and a third-round pick (No. 101) in the 2022 NFL Draft during the opening round Thursday night.

Tennessee general manager Jon Robinson said the Eagles initiated trade talks for Brown ahead of the draft, and he decided to deal the 24-year-old because he "realized that the gap was really too far for us to bridge."

The 2020 Pro Bowler reportedly agreed to a four-year, $100-million extension with Philadelphia that includes $57 million guaranteed.

The native of Mississippi was set to play out the final year of his rookie deal in 2022. Brown reportedly didn't plan to report for offseason activities in hopes of securing a new deal at a time when veteran receivers are signing record contracts.

Brown has hauled in 185 receptions for 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns since the Titans selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft. He becomes a veteran option for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who previously attempted to recruit Brown to Alabama before Brown opted to play for Ole Miss.

Tennessee used the No. 18 pick it acquired in the trade to select wideout Treylon Burks. The Arkansas product has drawn comparisons to Brown based on his size and ability to gain yards after the catch.