After starting the season 10-1, the Eagles stumbled to an 1-5 finish before ultimately losing in the first round of the playoffs. Following the late-season collapse, there have been some questions surrounding some players’ commitment to the organization, particularly wideout A.J. Brown.
However, the receiver was quick to dismiss the notion that he wants out of Philly. Brown called into 94WIP Afternoon Show in Philadelphia on Friday to clear the air regarding his feelings for the Eagles organization.
“I have no problem. I want to be here, it’s as simple as that,” Brown said (via NFL.com’s Christian Gonzales). “I love where I’m at, it’s as simple as that. Next question.
“…Honestly, like I said the other day, I could have plans but also know it’s a business. But I can tell you that I want to be here. That’s all I can say.”
As the Eagles took a nosedive, so did Brown’s numbers. The receiver compiled 125-plus receiving yards in six straight games towards the beginning of the year, earning him the NFC Offensive Player of the Month award in October. However, from Week 9 through the end of the regular season, Brown only hauled in 46 catches for 517 yards and two touchdowns, and he was ultimately sidelined for the team’s Wild Card loss to the Buccaneers.
Thanks to that significant decline in production, many have questioned if Brown was upset with the team’s offense and quarterback Jalen Hurts. The receiver cited the duo’s previous success as reasoning for why their relationship won’t fracture.
“You know, I think that’s sort of BS. I’m not going to get into me and his relationship on the air,” Brown said. “But it’s total BS, you know what I’m saying. It wasn’t a problem when I was on my six-game streak. They weren’t talking about that then, so they only started talking about that when we started losing. Of course, you see friction from everybody, from the coaches, the players and from everybody. So, there you go.”
After getting traded to the Eagles in 2022, Brown inked a four-year, $100MM deal with the organization that featured $57MM in guaranteed money. The receiver is likely locked in for several more years (the organization has an out after the 2024 campaign), so if Brown truly wants out of Philly, he’d need the organization to acquiesce.
Hmmm but does he want to stay here?
Looks like Brown is going to get the same type of character assassination that the media tried to lay on Diggs in Buffalo after last seasons playoff exit. Probably going to become an annual event every time a team doesn’t reach it’s post season expectations.