A.J. Brown experienced a reunion this week as the New England Patriots hosted joint practices with his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, during training camp. Following a challenging 2025 season for both Brown and the Eagles, Philadelphia traded him to the Patriots for future draft picks. This move was amid signs of his friendship and partnership with quarterback Jalen Hurts deteriorating.
Over two months have passed since Brown’s transfer, yet questions linger about his relationship with Hurts. After the recent joint practice, Brown confirmed he has not spoken with Hurts since joining New England.
“No,” Brown said when asked if he had spoken with Hurts since June.
Despite this, Brown remained positive regarding his former Eagles teammates.
“Honestly guys, none of that stuff even matters, man. You all should want to report something positive,” Brown said. “Asking the question is going to turn negative. Let’s keep everything positive. It’s love my way.”
Hurts mirrored Brown’s sentiments warmly. I’ve got a lot of love for him and always have,
said Hurts, the Super Bowl LIX MVP.
Brown indicated he might reconnect with Hurts during joint practices in Foxborough.
Brown notably achieved the top two single-season receiving yardage records in Eagles history, with 1,496 yards in 2022 and 1,456 yards in 2023. Philadelphia exited the playoffs in the wild-card round after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Following this, general manager Howie Roseman stated that Brown expressed his desire for a change.
Sources reported Brown’s dissatisfaction stemmed from feeling under-targeted while facing zone coverage, leading to social media remarks and media sessions reflecting his frustration with his offensive role.
During practice breaks, Brown was seen chatting with former teammates Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean. He successfully caught all six targets from quarterback Drake Maye during drills but missed a pass in a one-on-one rep against cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
Brown acknowledged ongoing chemistry development with Maye, noting the quarterback’s unique qualities.
“There’s definitely been some challenges, but he’s special, and he makes my job easier,” Brown shared. “Just learning how he sees the game and getting on the same page.”
Brown clarified that his moment with the Eagles wasn’t about closure, expressing continuous affection for Philadelphia while focusing on New England.
“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,” Brown said. “That’s where my feet are, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
The Eagles start their season at home against the Washington Commanders on September 13, while the Patriots play against the Seattle Seahawks on September 9. The article was contributed by Chantz Martin, a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
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