Jalen Hurts Opens Up About A.J. Brown's Eagles Departure

It is also no secret that Brown’s production has slipped in his four years with the Eagles. In his first two years in Philadelphia, Brown accounted for 194 receptions, 2,952 yards and 18 touchdowns. In his last two years with the Eagles, Brown caught 145 passes for 2,082 yards and 14 touchdowns. Brown also missed six games over the last two seasons, compared to perfect attendance his first two years with the club.

Perhaps Brown’s drop in productivity was partly due to injury, and partly due to Hurts’ conservative play from the pocket. Playing it safe and protecting the football does not necessarily equate to big numbers for talented receivers. As a result, Brown’s frustration may have reached a boiling point in the locker room.

I think it was a stroke of genius by Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to move Brown this offseason. Now 29, Brown was traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick and a 2028 first rounder. Brown was originally acquired in a 2022 trade with the Tennessee Titans. Back then, the Eagles mortgaged a first-round pick for Brown. Four years later with a Super Bowl title in tow, they traded him away for essentially the same compensation, plus an extra late-round pick. Great work, guys.

It remains to be seen what the Eagles’ offense will look like without Brown. Talented receivers of that caliber usually command safety help over the top of a defense. With an extra deep defender focused on Brown, that allows other targets like DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert to find open space. Brown’s presence also allows the running game to operate with one less opponent creeping up toward the line of scrimmage.

In anticipation of Brown’s departure, Roseman has stocked the Eagles’ receiver room with a number of new, talented faces. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore and Makai Lemon will have to pick up where Brown left off.

“You can’t replace the greatness we have achieved. The presence and the success he’s had on the field, but we’ve got to go to work,” Hurts said.