Fresh A.J. Brown Rumors on Star's Relationship With Eagles, Timeline for Talks on WR's Future

After a season in which the relationship between A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles seemed to deteriorate with each passing week, the star receiver's future could start to come into focus very soon.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Brown's relationship with the Eagles remains "tenuous" and discussions about potential next steps for both parties are expected to "ramp up" in two weeks around the start of the NFL scouting combine.

Brown's 2025 season was defined more by what he was posting and people trying to figure out his dynamic with Jalen Hurts than his actual on-field performance.

After the Eagles completed no passes in the second half of a Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown had the since-deleted post: "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw."

Brown later explained the post wasn't directed at anyone in the Eagles' facility. He has said in the past that he and Hurts have butted heads from time to time, but it's only because they are "two alphas, who want to be the best and want to demand greatness from each other and everyone around us."

After the Eagles' season-ending playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Hurts had a vague response when asked about working with Brown.

"A.J and I will talk. We are in a good, great place," Hurts said. "I know you all can talk to him and ask."

Brown and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni had a public argument on the sidelines during the game against the 49ers, though Sirianni downplayed it during his postgame press conference.

Brown is coming off his worst season with the Eagles. He finished with 1,003 yards, seven touchdowns and a career-low 12.9 yards per reception.

A potential trade involving Brown would be complicated for the Eagles to pull off due to the cap ramifications. The 28-year-old, whose contract runs through 2029, would have a $43.4 million dead cap hit in 2026 if he is traded before June 1.

If the Eagles wait until after June 1 to move Brown, they would save $7 million against the 2026 cap and the dead money charge would go down to $16.4 million.

The market for Brown will also be interesting to track because he is coming off a down year, the cost of his contract and his age. He will turn 29 on June 30.

It wouldn't be a surprise if getting in a new offensive scheme with a different coach and quarterback reinvigorates Brown, but there are reasons to be skeptical that he can return to being the player who made the All-Pro second team in three consecutive years from 2022 to '24.