Jason Kelce erupts as Eagles GM Howie Roseman trades for A.J. Brown, extends him for $100 million

Last week, Howie Roseman was asked about the recent boom of revenue being funneled toward top wide receivers this offseason. From Tyreek Hill to Davante Adams to Christian Kirk, the money had gotten outrageous, and compensation for a top receiver was similarly wild. Roseman’s response was evasive and cryptic:

“If we’re going to be the same as everyone else, we’re probably going to finish in the middle of the pack,” Roseman said. “Sometimes you have to take risks and you have to stand out there and do something different than everyone else.”

Then he made a blockbuster deal to acquire a franchise receiver. Titans star A.J. Brown is now an Eagle. Roseman got him for the 18th overall pick and a third-rounder (101st). Roseman then locked in Brown for four more years and $100 million, according to NFL.com. Brown was due to become a free agent after the 2022 season.

Brown has seen diminished production and has had some injury issues, but Roseman considered him a chance worth taking.

“Anything you do, there’s risk. We’re always going to be aggressive,” Roseman said. “We believe in A.J. Brown.”

So yes, there’s risk. The Eagles now have a franchise receiver to pair with DeVonta Smith, last year’s first-round pick, and third-year quarterback Jalen Hurts. As a second-round pick on a rookie deal, Hurts will make less than $2.5 million in the next two seasons, which makes Brown more affordable. By comparison, Titans starter Ryan Tannehill is scheduled to make $56 million in the next two seasons, which helped make Brown virtually impossible for the Titans to afford.

Jason Kelce understands the business of the NFL and the impact Brown can have on Day One.

The Eagles’ All Pro center was a guest on the Bleacher Report’s “Gridiron Draft Night” show when news of the trade broke. Kelce’s reaction in real time was, predictably, priceless.

“What?” Kelce exclaimed, rising from his seat as host Adam Lefkoe put his head in his hands. “WHAT?!”

“This is big, Lefkoe. This is BIIIIG!”

Kelce, dressed in a red Cincinnati pullover celebrating his alma mater, gushed about his boss.

“Howie Roseman is working that Howie Roseman magic, that’s what’s going on! He’s swindlin’!” Kelce said. “I’m like ... I’m Christmas right now. Howie Roseman is Santa Claus!”

Kelce calmed, and continued: “This is huge. This is instantly an upgrade for the offense. I can’t tell you how much this is gonna make us better.”

It does seem like an instant upgrade -- that is, as long as Treylon Burks doesn’t turn into Brown, 2.0. That’s who the Titans picked at No. 18 to replace Brown. Burks, at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, is built like Brown, but Brown leaves big shoes to fill.

Brown’s 216 catches ranks third among receivers drafted in 2019, when he went in the second round. His 24 touchdown catches rank second.

Burks was a record sixth wideout taken among the first 20 picks, as teams scrambled to avoid the massive money established veterans are receiving. Brown cashed in.

Roseman has never been afraid to take risks.

In 2016, Roseman moved heaven and Earth to draft Carson Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick, turning the draft on its ear.

In 2022, he did the same thing to get Brown.

Less than an hour before the big trade, Roseman pulled off another big deal for a very big man.

He traded a fourth-rounder and two fifths to Houston move from No. 15 to No. 13 to take 6-foot-6, 341-pound defensive tackle Jordan Davis. A freakish athlete who is nicknamed “Godzilla,” Davis -- who ran an eye-popping 4.78 40-yard dash -- anchored Georgia’s mythically dominant defense in its run to the national championship.

As long as big, slow Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton doesn’t turn into Kam Chancellor, Roseman should be confident in this pick. Hamilton went 14th, to the Ravens, whom the Eagles believed they had to jump to secure Davis.

While the addition of Brown gives the Birds another weapon, how complete they are as an offense depends largely on Hurts taking a giant step forward in 2022. That said, Smith, Brown, tight end Dallas Goedert, and most of the offensive line are locked in far beyond 2022, and the 2023 quarterback draft class looks strong. The Eagles have two first-round picks in 2023 that they either could use on to draft a QB ... or use to trade for an established starter.

After all, sometimes, you have to take risks.