Eagles QB Jalen Hurts already seems to be preparing for life without WR A.J. Brown

It feels like the worst-kept secret in the NFL that the Philadelphia Eagles are planning to trade wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. 

The Eagles are expected to deal Brown to the Patriots on or after June 1 to avoid a major cap hit. Per Over the Cap, Philadelphia trading him after this date would yield $7.04M in cap savings and incur $16.35M in dead money. Philadelphia would incur $43.44M in dead money if it sends him elsewhere before that date.  

Although a deal hasn't happened yet, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is already preparing for life without Brown. On Sunday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said the QB is spending more time with WR DeVonta Smith this offseason, which further signals the team's plans. 

Why Jalen Hurts working out with DeVonta Smith is significant

Fowler said Sunday on "SportsCenter" that Hurts and new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion have "hit it off." He then added that the QB is holding private workouts with his pass-catchers to learn the new offense. That doesn't include Brown.

"Hurts has been throwing offsite with some of his receivers, DeVonta Smith, who's his new No. 1 receiver, new veteran Elijah Moore," Fowler said (h/t Bleacher Report's Adam Wells). "He's been getting after it, trying to get ready for his new offense. The Eagles are going to look a lot different in 2026."

He then expanded on omitting Brown. 

"You like how I slipped that in there? Let me put it this way, A.J. Brown's not at these workouts, so it's sort of understood right now," Fowler said. 

Assuming Brown isn't on the Eagles roster next season, it's smart for Hurts to begin developing an even stronger repertoire with Smith. Brown played a huge role for Philadelphia last season. The three-time Pro Bowler ranked second on the team in receiving yards (1,003 in 15 games) and touchdown catches (seven). 

Smith is more than capable of handling a heavier workload. Last season, he led the team in receiving yards (1,008 in 17 games) and ranked third in touchdown catches (four). Working out with Hurts could prepare him to have an even bigger year in his first season as the team's true No. 1 WR.