Jalen Hurts Responds to A.J. Brown Trade Rumors, Talks Relationship After WR's Wedding

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts addressed the lingering rumors regarding star wideout A.J. Brown while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.

"We're focused on learning the offense. It really doesn't change, in terms of our approach to improve," he said. "There's an 'if.' Obviously it's been a lingering thing, but nothing can replace all of the greatness that we've achieved together.

He also spoke about his current relationship with Brown.

"Nothing's changed since we last spoke at the end of the season. We're really good," he said. "I saw how beautiful the pictures came out at his wedding, and I'm very happy for him and his wife and family. It's just a beautiful thing to step into a covenant so I was very excited and congratulatory toward that."

There's been much ado over Hurts not attending Brown's wedding, especially after a season where the offense struggled, Brown was clearly unhappy with the direction of the passing game and reports emerged that the two were no longer close.

That has led to an offseason of trade rumors regarding Brown, with the expectation that he'll be dealt after June 1, when the Eagles can better manage his dead cap hit.

Superstar running back Saquon Barkley also was asked about the Brown rumors on Wednesday.

"You're going to have a hard time (to get me) to say anything bad about A.J. Brown. I'm a big fan of A.J. Brown. One of my really good friends. One of my favorite teammates I've ever been around him. Respect him as a man," he told reporters. "But this is a business. It's the NFL. If I'm not here, if Jalen's not here, whoever's not here—the show goes on. That's how the NFL operates. You don't really address it. There isn't anything to address. You go about your work and keep being better. And whatever happens, that's above my pay grade."

The Eagles made big changes to the offense this offseason, adding a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion, who is expected to add more pre-snap motion, runs under center and play action to the scheme. The Eagles also made multiple additions at wideout, headlined by first-round pick Makai Lemon and trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks.

That has made Brown's trade feel inevitable. But Hurts—who yet again will be working with a new offensive coordinator, his fifth in as many seasons—is just focusing on learning the new scheme and improving.

"I do want to become an expert at the position," the veteran quarterback told reporters. "I do want to grow in the position. That's obviously hard to do when it's always changing. But that's not going to stop me from trying to be the best I can be. I'm just trying to grow and take in the coaching."