Eagles' A.J. Brown discusses growing rivalry with 49ers

Star wide receiver A.J. Brown spoke carefully Friday about the growing rivalry between his Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers.

"I think it's two really good organizations," Brown told NFL Network's James Palmer and Daniel Jeremiah during an edition of the "Inside Training Camp Live" program. "One got a sour taste in their mouth, but I think (it's) two really good organizations."

The "sour taste" comment refers to how the Eagles crushed the 49ers 31-7 in this year's NFC Championship game when San Francisco was at quite a significant disadvantage. 

The visitors entered that day with quarterbacks Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo already lost to season-ending injuries, and 2022 rookie sensation Brock Purdy then suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow early into the contest. After fourth-choice option Josh Johnson went down with a concussion, the 49ers were essentially without a healthy NFL quarterback at Lincoln Financial Field. 

Since that matchup, multiple 49ers players have suggested things would've gone differently on Jan. 29 had Purdy remained healthy for all four quarters. Just last month, San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward revealed he and his teammates are excited to prove that exact point when the 49ers face the Eagles in Week 13 on Dec. 3. 

"I don't think it's any bad blood on our side, but we respect them," Brown added about the 49ers while noticeably not poking the figurative bear. "Of course, they gonna come ready to play, that's gonna be a hard battle. Best team wins."

Brown and company already did their talking on the field this past January and have little to gain in trying to win a war of words before the anticipated rematch. For what it's worth, all signs point to Purdy being ready for Week 1, so he theoretically should be good to go by the first Sunday of December unless he experiences a setback or loses the QB1 job at some point over the next four months.