The Philadelphia Eagles finally got one of the most talked-about trades in recent memory done, with wide receiver A.J. Brown now with the New England Patriots, with many ready for him to open up about his time in Philly.
Well, Brown finally did it, speaking with Maria Taylor in an exclusive one-on-one interview to discuss his time with the Eagles and his trade to the Patriots. Taylor asked Brown about what happened to his friendship with quarterback Jalen Hurts, with Brown saying it blew up more than it needed to.
"Not as close as we once were. I believe that's fine. It's like, there's no bad blood. There's actually still a lot of love, I love him to death. I want him to succeed and accomplish all the things that he wants to accomplish. I didn't truly understand why our friendship became the center of everyone's attention when it comes to football because looking back at it, we haven't been as close as we were for a couple of years now. But that didn't stop anything. We still competed, we still pushed each other, we still led the team. It was just kind of strange, people just got fixated on our relationship, and wanted to talk about - maybe because the history of this place, but that wasn't what this was. I'ma say it to you, I'ma say it on camera, I have nothing but love for him. I want him to do well and accomplish everything that his heart desires."
A.J. Brown finally talks about his relationship with Jalen Hurts
Brown and Hurts have been front and center as close friends since the Eagles traded for the star wide receiver back in 2022; one of the first images was of them on the phone, laughing and smiling about being together. It all worked out well until 2024, when things went off the rails.
There were reports coming out months before their Super Bowl win that Brown was frustrated with Hurts not getting him the ball more. The relationship kind of dwindled from there, as last year was the breaking point for Brown, as he reportedly asked to be traded multiple times.
Taylor asked Brown what had happened between them that made the relationship sour. The star receiver didn't really point out anything specifically that caused them to calm down as friends.
"Nothing happened. People just grow apart. Nothing happened between me and him, or our families, our wives, anything. Nothing like that ever happened. But life happens, and you just look up sometimes, and you find yourself drifting away. And that's fine. And I think both parties accepted that."
There's no denying that the two worked well together, as Brown had over 5,000 yards receiving in four years with the Eagles, as he made two Pro Bowls and was selected as a second-team All-Pro three times. Hurts was arguably better with Brown as well, as he made the Pro Bowl three times in that same span.
Read more: Howie Roseman went all facts and no filter on draft picks from A.J. Brown trade
It's a shame the relationship went sideways the way it did, but it's best for both to go their separate ways and move on. Now Hurts can focus on building his relationship with DeVonta Smith and the rest of the receivers on the Eagles.
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