A.J. Brown Says There’s Still “Love” for Eagles and Jalen Hurts
A.J. Brown Says There’s Still “Love” for Eagles and Jalen Hurts Despite Silence Since Trade
A.J. Brown’s first reunion with the Philadelphia Eagles since his offseason trade to the New England Patriots came with plenty of attention Wednesday, but the former Eagles star insisted there is no lingering animosity toward his former team.
Brown spoke with reporters following the Eagles and Patriots’ joint practice in Foxborough, Massachusetts, addressing his relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts and his feelings toward Philadelphia.
The biggest revelation was also the simplest: Brown acknowledged that he has not spoken with Hurts since being traded to New England in June.
When asked why the two former teammates had not talked, Brown laughed and pushed back against the idea that the situation should be viewed as another chapter instead of the reported tension between them.
“Philly, man, y’all are tough,” Brown said. “It’s love. Listen — honestly, guys, none of that stuff even matters.”
Brown emphasized that he does not want his departure from Philadelphia to overshadow what he accomplished during his four seasons with the Eagles, including helping the franchise win Super Bowl LIX.
“I’m here now,” Brown said. “I’m not going backwards.”
He added that there was no need for “closure” because, from his perspective, his feelings toward Philadelphia remain positive.
“It’s not about no closure or anything. It’s love,” Brown said. “I won a Super Bowl ring with them. It’ll always be love no matter how anyone feels. I love Philly and I will always love Philly. But I’m here now. And this is where my feet are and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Brown and Hurts Still Have a Complicated History
Brown and Hurts developed a close relationship after Brown arrived in Philadelphia in 2022. Their connection became a major part of the Eagles’ offensive identity as Philadelphia emerged as one of the NFC’s top teams.
But their relationship appeared to change during Brown’s final seasons in Philadelphia. In June, shortly after the trade, Brown acknowledged that he and Hurts were “not as close as we once were,” while also stressing that there was “no bad blood” between them.
Hurts previously offered his own perspective, saying the relationship remained “really good” before Brown’s departure.
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Will Brown and Hurts Finally Talk?
Brown was asked whether he expected to speak with Hurts during the Eagles-Patriots visit.
His answer left the door open.
“I’m sure, if our paths [cross], sure,” Brown said.
For now, however, the two former teammates have apparently kept their distance.
That lack of interaction drew attention during Wednesday’s joint practice, particularly because Brown was seeing many of his former teammates for the first time since the trade. Reports indicated that Brown did not speak with Hurts or DeVonta Smith during the session.
Still, Brown repeatedly attempted to steer the conversation away from controversy and toward his future in New England.
“Let’s keep everything positive,” he told reporters. “It’s love my way. And move forward, that’s all.”
Hurts, meanwhile, has focused on the Eagles’ new-look offense and the opportunity to compete against his former teammate. Ahead of the joint practices, Hurts described the matchup as an opportunity for “great competition” and “new competition.”
A.J. Brown Says There’s Still “Love” for Eagles and Jalen Hurts was originally published on rnbphilly.com
