A.J. Brown Is Unhappy With Jalen Hurts, Says Eagles Veteran Before Backtracking
A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts are going through a rough patch as Philadelphia Eagles teammates.
As is often the case with Brown, his team is enjoying success, yet his individual stats fall short of expectations … his expectations.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 29: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles holds the George Halas Trophy with A.J. Brown #11 after defeating the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 31 to 7. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Brown has been openly disgruntled about the Eagles' weakened pass attack as Jalen Hurts plays the short-yard game through the air.
"Passing," Brown said when asked what the team could improve on offense after Sunday's 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers, improving the Eagles' record to 11-2.
Shining a light on the possibility of the strained relationship was longtime Eagles defender Brandon Graham.
Appearing for a radio interview Monday night, Graham delivered interesting comments that may signal the beginning of the end between the Eagles and A.J. Brown.
"I don't know the whole story, but I know that 1 [Hurts] is trying," Graham said when asked about the Eagles QB and Brown.
"11 (Brown) could be a little better with how he responds to things," the vet admitted before dropping a bombshell.
"They were friends, but things have changed," Graham said. "And I understand that because life happens. But (on) the business side, we got to make sure we don't let the personal get in the way of the business.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 26: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
"And that's what we need to do better," Graham said.
Following up on his comments, Graham later backtracked (according to ESPN reporter Tim McManus) his claim that Hurts and Brown have a strained relationship.
"I just assumed [about their friendship] and it made me out to look even worse because I had it all wrong and now people are going to run with that part," Graham said.
Philadelphia clinched a playoff berth last week.
A.J. Brown led the Eagles in receiving against Carolina, catching all four of his targets for 43 yards.
Brown does have a point about Hurts' sliding production this year. Hurts has only cracked 250 yards passing in three games this season.
Hurts continues to struggle, and A.J. Brown is converting that into unnecessary attention around this winning team.
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