New NFL Rumors on A.J. Brown's 'Angst' Playing with Jalen Hurts & Timeline of Eagles-Patriots Trade

While A.J. Brown downplayed any serious friction with quarterback Jalen Hurts during their final season together, the veteran wide receiver did grow frustrated with the Philadelphia Eagles star.

"A good bit of his angst stemmed from the play of Hurts, league sources said, in part because of Hurts' perceived reluctance to target Brown on tight-window throws against zone coverage," per a report Monday from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Sarah Barshop, Mike Reiss, Daniel Oyefusi and Tim McManus.

Brown's 66.9 yards per game were his fewest since 2021, and his 12.9 yards per catch were a career low. Whether it was part of the game plan, a lack of trust in Hurts' downfield ability, or the QB not feeling comfortable on deeper throws, the Eagles didn't utilize the three-time Pro Bowler to his fullest capabilities in 2025.

According to ESPN, Philly discovered this offseason there wasn't a realistic path to running it back with Brown and Hurts together.

"The Eagles didn't want a situation in which it felt like they weren't in it together, knowing they've been at their best when team chemistry is right," the report said. "Through conversations between Brown and management, it became apparent early in the offseason that Brown wanted out of Philly, believing it was best for the next stage of his career."

Chatter about a Brown trade began in February, with the New England Patriots starting to seriously consider the idea at the NFL Scouting Combine, which ran from Feb. 26 through March 1.

By April, Philadelphia and New England acknowledged the potential for a deal, and from there it was a matter of hammering out the terms. The Pats relented on their reluctance to include a first-round pick, while the Eagles were content to accept a 2028 first-rounder rather than one in 2027.

The pressure is now squarely on Hurts after his team traded Brown, used a first-round pick on Makai Lemon, and hired a new offensive coordinator (Sean Mannion).

Grading Makai Lemon Pick

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Hurts will probably never be a prolific passer in the mold of Matthew Stafford or Patrick Mahomes, but he needs to return to the QB who nearly threw for 4,000 yards in 2022 and 2023.

In May, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler cited an AFC executive who called the 27-year-old a "polarizing player" whose decline could accelerate once he loses a step as a rushing threat.

Should the same problems crop up in 2026, the Eagles could face a serious dilemma because Hurts may no longer be the quarterback who can get them over the top.