Eagles' Jalen Hurts opens up about relationship with A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown spoke with reporters on Wednesday and insisted he and quarterback Jalen Hurts "are good" after defensive end Brandon Graham suggested earlier in the week the two were feuding. 

Hurts also used the word "good" while addressing the relationship between the two key figures who feature for an 11-2 team. 

"Sometimes things change as dynamics change," Hurts said about Brown, as shared by Cayden Steele of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "But for him, he knows I have a lot of love for him. Just like I got a lot of love for all these guys. Ultimately, he’s a guy that is a competitor. He wants to win. He damn sure wants the ball. He wants to make an impact in the game. And I respect that. That’s just like all of us." 

Brown seemed to criticize Hurts following Philadelphia's win over the Carolina Panthers, and Graham subsequently said that those in the locker room had to "make sure the personal doesn't get in the way of the business." Graham later claimed he "made a mistake" and "had it all wrong" regarding the Brown-Hurts relationship, but the damage was already done. 

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni mentioned on multiple occasions this week that he sees Brown and Hurts "working to get better together" at the team's facility between games. Hurts indicated on Wednesday he understands why Brown feels frustrated considering the Eagles are averaging the second-fewest passing yards per game (180.6) for the season, per ESPN stats. 

"It’s about the team in the end," Hurts added. "Overall, that’s where my focus is. I think that’s where everyone’s focus is at heart. And try to do what’s best for the team. Ultimately, everyone cares about the team’s success. So whenever something happens, whatever is, I look at myself first because everything starts and ends with me." 

Outsiders may never fully know how much alleged behind-the-scenes issues impacted the Eagles during their epic collapse last season. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Philadelphia second among the betting favorites at +280 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX. Putting potential fires out now ahead of this coming Sunday's home game versus the 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers would theoretically only benefit an Eagles team that seems, on paper, to be a legitimate championship contender. 

On Thursday, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Eagles as 5.5-point favorites against the Steelers.