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PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown have assured fans that any on-field connection issues have not impacted their bond off the field, stating emphatically that their relationship remains strong.
“Jalen and I are good,” Brown noted confidently. Hurts echoed those sentiments, adding, “We’re good, we’re good.” Thus, it appears there’s no dramatic fallout between the star quarterback and his top receiver.
The duo downplayed rumors of discord following remarks from defensive end Brandon Graham, who suggested on a Philadelphia radio show that there was tension between Hurts and Brown. Both players, who share a close friendship and personal connections—Hurts is the godfather of Brown’s daughter—dismissed the idea of any rift. Graham’s comments seemed to stem from a recent post-game interview where Brown expressed dissatisfaction with the offense’s performance despite the Eagles’ solid 11-2 record.
“BG knows he spoke out of place,” Hurts said, clarifying the situation. Graham later attempted to clarify his earlier comments, admitting he wrongly assumed there was trouble between the players and indicated his intention to apologize.
Brown, who accumulated 109 receiving yards over the last two games, emphasized that his frustrations were not targeted specifically at Hurts but were more about the overall performance of the offense, including the play calling of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and team execution.
The Eagles, known for their pass-heavy strategies, have recently leaned more towards running the ball, with Saquon Barkley setting a franchise record for rushing yards in a season.
“Obviously, it’s not just about running the ball,” Brown remarked when discussing the need for a balanced offensive game plan. He outlined that improvements must also be made in areas like protection and the timing of routes to achieve better results in the passing game.
Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni reflected on the situation, stating he has observed no issues between Hurts and Brown. Instead, he sees two athletes who regularly collaborate and work on improving their skills together.
“You only see the games with heightened emotions,” Sirianni explained. “I see their interactions day in and day out.”
Brown, who has enjoyed two consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, expressed his feelings about the offense’s lack of consistency in recent games. Hurts, who secured a significant contract extension earlier this year, has also experienced a dip in passing yards, failing to surpass 200 in three consecutive games. Though fellow receiver DeVonta Smith has also dealt with the struggles this season, he hasn’t exceeded 100 receiving yards in a game yet. Brown has managed to secure four 100-yard games, a stark contrast to last season where he recorded six consecutive games over that mark.
While Hurts has not been explosive this season, his efficiency remains notable; he has thrown 12 touchdown passes against just one interception, contributing significantly to the team’s ongoing nine-game winning streak that nears a clinching point for the NFC East title.
A matchup against the Steelers at home on Sunday may provide the Eagles with an opportunity to revitalize their offense. Notably, Hurts connected on three touchdown passes to Brown during their 2022 meeting with the Steelers, culminating in a decisive 35-13 victory.
“I think it’s evident that we all have room for improvement in the passing game,” Sirianni acknowledged. “Our success relies on every single person working together, as football is the ultimate team sport.”
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