5 Bold NFL Predictions for the June 1 Deadline: Where Does A.J. Brown Land?
Every NFL franchise and fanbase has June 1 circled on their calendar. It’s the date when teams can designate player moves as “post-June 1,” meaning dead-cap money gets split across two seasons instead of one.
Moves that were financially impossible on May 31 suddenly become very doable on June 2. That single calendar flip can unlock tens of millions in cap relief league-wide, triggering a wave of roster moves across the NFL.
And right on cue, the dominoes are already starting to fall into place.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler hit SportsCenter with fresh intel on three of the league’s most-watched situations, Philadelphia Eagles‘ A.J. Brown, San Francisco 49ers‘ Brandon Aiyuk, and New Orleans Saints‘ Alvin Kamara.
Rival executives are calling Aiyuk “untradeable.” The Kamara situation still hasn’t found traction. And the framework for A.J. Brown landing in New England is reportedly in place.
This is shaping up to be the most active June 1 in recent memory. Here are five bold predictions that could steal headlines.
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1. A.J. Brown Gets Traded to the Patriots - on June 1
All roads keep leading to Foxborough. Adam Schefter recently named the New England Patriots the “lead contender,” and SI’s Albert Breer reported Friday that a “framework is in place” for a deal to be made early this week. The holdup is compensation. The Eagles reportedly want a first-round pick. New England isn’t fully willing to part with one, but both sides keep talking.
The math forces the issue on June 1. Brown’s $40 million cap hit for 2026 can only be split across two seasons if he’s traded after that date. The Eagles have already added Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore at receiver. They’ve moved on in everything but paperwork. Drake Maye needs a bonafide WR1, Brown has history with coach Mike Vrabel from their Titans days, and New England has the cap space to make it work.
This deal gets done Monday.
2. 49ers Cut Aiyuk - the Raiders Pounce
Fowler said it Sunday that two rival executives told him Aiyuk is “untradeable.” The torn ACL/MCL/meniscus, the ghosting of the 49ers organization, and the voided $27 million in guaranteed money have made him a market of one. San Francisco saves roughly $20 million in cap space with a post-June 1 cut. At this point, that’s the plan.
The Las Vegas Raiders move. The Raiders just drafted Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, and yet their franchise quarterback has no legitimate WR1 to grow with. Kirk Cousins is the bridge, but Mendoza needs more. Aiyuk’s guaranteed money is gone, meaning Las Vegas could sign him for pennies on a contract that once totaled $120 million.
Low risk. Massive upside.
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3. Kamara Re-Signs with the Saints - Kamara + Etienne Become the NFL’s Best Backfield
Fowler noted Sunday that Kamara’s situation hasn’t found “a lot of traction,” but there’s genuine interest in him staying. And Kamara himself has made no secret of his feelings. He told Terron Armstead’s podcast last month: “I couldn’t be happier. He got paid, and we got help in the backfield.” He’s talking about Travis Etienne, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal with New Orleans this spring.
The Saints will restructure Kamara’s $10.4 million deal post-June 1, and he will stay to form the league’s most dynamic 1-2 punch. Kamara handles the receiving work and space work. Etienne takes the heavy load. And in one swoop, New Orleans has their version of the Kenneth Walker-Zach Charbonnet tandem that carried the Seahawks all the way to the Super Bowl last year.
4. Cole Kmet Gets Traded to the Chiefs for a 2027 Third-Round Pick
The Chicago Bears drafted Stanford TE Sam Roush in Round 3 of the 2026 Draft, making Kmet, already behind Colston Loveland, the odd man out in a crowded TE room. The Bears restructured Kmet’s deal earlier this spring, reducing his 2026 cap hit to $7.775 million. Trading him post-June 1 saves Chicago roughly $1.4 million and clears the log jam.
The Kansas City Chiefs, meanwhile, is desperate. Travis Kelce is approaching retirement, Rashee Rice can’t stay out of trouble, and the Chiefs drafted nobody at tight end. ESPN’s Ben Solak laid out the exact framework: Bears get a third-round pick, Kansas City gets Kmet and a fifth. Kmet’s 288 career catches, 2,939 yards, and blocking ability make him a perfect fit next to Patrick Mahomes and a long-term Kelce successor.
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5. Ravens Trade Marlon Humphrey to New York - Joins Harbaugh’s Giants
Nine seasons. One organization. All with John Harbaugh on the sideline. Then Harbaugh left for New York in January. The Baltimore Ravens have gone full youth movement in the secondary, spending high draft picks on Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, and Malaki Starks, and Humphrey’s $26.3 million cap hit has become a liability. Dealing him post-June 1 saves Baltimore roughly $15.3 million.
For the New York Giants, the fit is perfect. Harbaugh coached Humphrey his entire career. New York’s starting safeties, Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, are hard-hitting tacklers, but the secondary needs a ball-hawk. Humphrey racked up 10 interceptions over the last two years and brings the kind of veteran mentorship a young defense desperately needs.
For Humphrey, one last run with the coach who knows him better than anyone. For the Giants, an instant upgrade in the secondary on a prove-it deal. Baltimore banks the cap space, and New York has a full allotment of picks over the next two years to get a deal done.
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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 6:27 PM.