This wide receiver once made Lincoln Financial Field feel like a backyard BBQ with the volume cranked to 11. He’d snatch passes like he was stealing hot dogs off the grill—bold, sizzling, and impossible to ignore. But two weeks into the 2025 season, the grill’s gone cold. No smoke. No sizzle. However, this isn’t the end of the tailgate—it’s just halftime. The city holds its breath, waiting for the explosion they know is coming.
That anticipation surrounds Eagles star A.J. Brown. Through two wins, the offense has felt more like a cautious ground game than the explosive attack fans expected. The main catalyst, Brown, has been uncharacteristically quiet. Just six catches and 35 yards. Still, don’t pack up the cooler just yet. But writing off a player of his caliber this early would be a monumental mistake.
The numbers are undeniably jarring, though. In the Week 1 win over Dallas, Brown managed just a single catch for eight yards. He saw more action against Kansas City, hauling in five passes, but they only netted 27 total yards. This stat line is a stark contrast for a receiver who declared, "I truly feel like I'm the best [receiver] in the league." The immediate reaction is to panic, but the context is crucial.
This isn’t a case of diminished skills. Instead, it’s a perfect storm of a run-heavy scheme. A new play-caller in Kevin Patullo finding his rhythm, and defenses employing heavy zone coverage to take away the deep ball. The Eagles are winning. There are concerns. But they’re doing it by avoiding risk.
The offense is a diesel engine slowly warming up on a cold morning, not a dragster. Furthermore, Brown’s effort is unwavering. His incredible one-handed snag against the Chiefs proved his focus remains sharp. The targets are still there; he saw 8 looks from Jalen Hurts last week. Volume precedes production, and this level of attention from his quarterback is a very promising sign that the connection is still alive.
A Perfect Get-Right Opportunity for Eagles' A.J. Brown?
This Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams feels like a turning point. Their secondary is vulnerable, especially with cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon out. This likely thrusts Emmanuel Forbes into a primary role. Brown’s history against Forbes is the stuff of legend. In their 2023 matchup, Brown torched him for six catches, 147 yards, and two touchdowns.
That size mismatch is a glaring advantage too. Brown outweighs Forbes by nearly 50 pounds. If the Rams dare to leave him in single coverage, it’s an invitation for a breakout. This specific matchup is the kind of catalyst that can instantly erase two weeks of frustration and get a superstar back on track.
The team’s leadership is also publicly reinforcing their belief in him. Coach Nick Sirianni stated plainly, "For us to be successful, A.J. Brown will need to have the same production he’s had the last three years." This is a declaration of intent from the top. The plan all along has been to incorporate him fully, not phase him out. Meanwhile, Brown himself is handling the adversity with a team-first maturity.
He downplayed the individual matchup, focusing instead on the bigger picture. “I'm just trying to focus on my job and get this thing rolling on offense,” Brown said. “It's not about the person that I'm going against.” His focus is on synchronicity with Hurts, a word the quarterback himself used to describe their needed rhythm.
Read more: Eagles’ 3,313-yard liability faces bench threat with another flop show in Week 3
So yeah, the start’s been rough. But this isn’t a eulogy. It’s a pause. A breath. A setup. Brown’s not done. He’s just waiting. And when the Rams line up across from him Sunday, they’ll hopefully see it too. The same fire. The same size. And the same swagger.