Jalen Hurts Acknowledges Shift in Relationship with A.J. Brown Following Trade

<p>After an uneven 2025 season for Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and the Philadelphia Eagles' offense, the team traded Brown to the New England Patriots for a pair of future draft picks. This move came amid indications that the previously close friendship between Hurts and Brown had deteriorated.</p><p>More than two months after Brown's trade, questions regarding his relationship with Hurts persist. During recent joint practices between the Patriots and Eagles, Brown responded with a one-word answer when asked if he had spoken with Hurts since the trade: "No."</p><p>Hurts has generally avoided discussing the state of his relationship with Brown but took a different approach in a recent interview with GQ. When asked if he and Brown had remained close, Hurts stated, "There's no surprise that it was talked about," acknowledging the change in their relationship.</p><p>Hurts, the MVP of Super Bowl LIX, confirmed Brown's previous comments, saying, "I mean, clearly." In June, Brown stated that no single incident had caused the rift between the two former teammates, explaining, "Nothing happened, people just grow apart. Nothing happened between me and him, or our families, wives, anything. Nothing like that ever happened."</p><p>Brown elaborated, saying, "Life happens, and you just look up sometimes and you just, you find yourself drifting away, and that's fine. And I think both parties accepted that." During the second of the two Patriots-Eagles joint practices in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Brown and Hurts were seen catching up.</p><p>Brown expressed a desire for positive reporting, stating, "Honestly, guys, none of that stuff even matters, man. You all should want to report something positive. You know asking the question is going to turn negative." He added, "So let's not get into that. Let's keep everything positive. It's love my way." Hurts echoed this sentiment, saying, "I've got a lot of love for him and always have."</p><p>Brown holds the two highest single-season receiving yardage totals in Eagles history: 1,496 yards in 2022 and 1,456 in 2023. The Eagles won the franchise's second Vince Lombardi Trophy the following season, despite some drama involving Brown.</p><p>Philadelphia was eliminated in the wild-card round this past January, losing at home to the San Francisco 49ers. Brown communicated to the Eagles' front office that he wanted a change of scenery, according to general manager Howie Roseman. Sources indicated that part of Brown's frustration stemmed from his belief that Hurts was not targeting him enough against zone coverage.</p><p>Brown made several social media comments and remarks during media sessions in the 2025 season that seemed to reflect frustration with his role in the offense. Despite this, he expressed gratitude for his time in Philadelphia, stating, "It's love. I won a Super Bowl ring with them. It will always be love no matter how anyone feels. I love Philly and I will always love Philly, but I'm here now. That's where my feet are and that's what I'm focused on."</p><p>Before becoming teammates on the Eagles, Hurts hosted Brown on a recruiting visit to Alabama. Their friendship deepened through offseason workouts, and Hurts eventually became the godfather to Brown's daughter, Jersee.</p><p>The Eagles are set to open the regular season on September 13 at home against the Washington Commanders. The Patriots will visit the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on September 9 for their 2026 season opener.</p>