A.J. Brown's 'Growing Frustration' With Eagles' Jalen Hurts Detailed in NFL Rumors Amid Trade Buzz

Amid ongoing trade rumors surrounding the three-time Pro Bowler, wide receiver A.J. Brown's dissatisfaction with quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles as a whole were detailed in a new report Wednesday.

According to ESPN's Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler, Brown was among those within the Eagles organization who expressed "growing frustration" with Hurts last season, due to the Super Bowl LIX MVP's reported resistance to change and attempts to "diversify" the offense.

Brown put up big numbers in each of his first two seasons with the Eagles, reaching the 1,400-yard receiving mark in both 2022 and 2023.

However, his production declined each of the past two campaigns, finishing with 1,079 yards in 2024 and 1,003 yards last season, as the Eagles placed a greater emphasis on running back Saquon Barkley and the ground game.

Per McManus and Fowler, there were whispers within the organization that things between Brown and Hurts "weren't good" late in the 2024 campaign despite the Eagles going on to win the Super Bowl.

The apparent issues leaked into the 2025 season, as there were "few public interactions" between Brown and Hurts early in the year, and there were even times when they did not seek each other out to celebrate touchdowns.

However, McManus and Fowler noted that there was a "shift in their public behavior toward each other" late in the 2025 season, as they were seen interacting far more often on the sidelines and on the field.

At the conclusion of the season, which ended with an upset loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs, Hurts told reporters that he and Brown were in a "great place."

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Despite that, trade rumors have constantly swirled around Brown to the point that the Eagles and teams rumored to be interested in him, such as the New England Patriots, have had to address the speculation publicly.

This week at the annual NFL league meeting, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told reporters, "I understand that there's interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don't have a home under a rock. But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I'm going to go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I put on TV and I see that there's interest, but my answer is A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles."

Last month, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that if the Eagles are going to trade Brown, it would likely occur after June 1 since Philly would incur only $20 million in dead cap at that point rather than $40 million.

Rapoport also named the Los Angeles Rams and Patriots as teams that had held trade talks with the Eagles on Brown. Rapoport noted that while the Rams were "out," the Pats were "still in" the running to acquire Brown.

When asked this week about the Patriots' potential interest in Brown, head coach Mike Vrabel didn't shoot it down, telling reporters, "We've talked about this since last January. We're going to try to do everything we can to strengthen our roster through the draft, through free agency, multiple ways of player acquisition. So anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we're going to try to do."

While waiting until June 1 to make a move is understandable given the salary cap ramifications, Brown's potential issues with Hurts and the Eagles will continue to be a topic of conversation until and unless he is moved.

If the Eagles decide to keep Brown in the fold, it is fair to wonder if the potential distraction it could cause will outweigh Brown's immense talent.