Jalen Hurts Talks A.J. Brown Relationship, Kevin Patullo's Future as Eagles OC

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said his relationship with wide receiver A.J. Brown is "in a good, great place" following Sunday's 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs.

The two-time Pro Bowler was more vague when it came to offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. He told reporters it's "too soon to think about" whether he wants Patullo back in 2026:

Hurts' stance on Patullo — or more accurately, his lack of one — might speak volumes.

Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata believes it's unfair to single out coaching as the reason for why the offense badly underperformed for much of the year.

"I'll say it like this: It's easier to blame somebody who gets paid less than your starting people," he said, per ESPN's Tim McManus. "Everybody knows that. Everyone in this f--king locker room, even you guys know that. But the story makes better sense if you're pointing at somebody else and not the player."

Running back Saquon Barkley also intimated the criticism toward Patullo is reductive:

But the Eagles finished 24th in yards despite having a quarterback (Hurts), running back (Barkley) and two wide receivers (Brown and DeVonta Smith) all in their primes. Sure, Barkley was unable to have another 2,000-yard season, but pretty much every other key player in the offense went backward too.

That can't be a pure coincidence.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that "mass changes" are expected for the Eagles, and that includes the firing of Patullo. The absence of a strong endorsement from Hurts points even more to a change at offensive coordinator.

It's harder to read whether Brown could be on the way out as well. A separation might suit both he and the Eagles.

During Sunday's game, Brown and coach Nick Sirianni had an animated exchange on the sideline:

Sirianni said it was much ado about nothing.

"I think he knows how I feel about him," he told reporters after the game in reference to Brown. "I have a special relationship with him. We've probably [gone] through every emotion you can possibly have together. We've laughed together. We've cried together. We've yelled at each other. We're both emotional. I was trying to get him off the field, and that happens in this game.

"That happens in this game, but I love him."

Those remarks might be easier to buy if Brown hadn't spent various points throughout the season making his displeasure with his role and the offense as a whole clear. This also all predates 2024.

General manager Howie Roseman may decide it's better to avoid a scenario where this is a storyline for another year.