​A.J. Brown spent four seasons turning his stint with the Philadelphia Eagles into a personal highlight reel. His electric pairing with quarterback Jalen Hurts helped the team capture a Super Bowl title in his second year with the franchise, but by 2026 that partnership had frayed enough for Brown to want out. Former Eagles wide receiver and six-time Pro Bowler Terrell Owens weighed in on the breakdown, reflecting on the discord. “I think I’m just like everybody else; it’s unfortunate,” Owens told SPORTS RADIO 94WIP’s Dave Uram. “At the end of the day, two teammates can’t get along, and obviously management. Everybody can’t rectify the situation; somebody has to. I think he did what was best for him.”
A.J. Brown is officially a Patriot. On June 2, the Eagles traded him to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, giving Brown a fresh start and allowing the Eagles to free up some cap space in the process.
Brown and Hurts were once regarded as inseparable. Their bond traces back to their college days, with Hurts attempting to recruit Brown to Alabama. ESPN noted that teammates used to describe them as an “old married couple.” Brown even chose Hurts to be his daughter’s godfather.
Then came the 2025 season, marked by a steady stream of frustration from Brown. His production dipped, and he spoke openly about his displeasure with the team on social media. During a Twitch livestream, he labeled the team’s situation a “s— show,” and he later commented about his own usage while playing Madden. When questioned about the remarks, Brown did not back down, saying the situation spoke for itself and that “if you have eyes,” one could see why he was frustrated.
In 2024, Saquon Barkley’s standout season reduced Brown’s target volume, yielding 67 catches for 1,079 yards. The following season wasn’t much brighter, as he totaled 1,003 yards on 78 receptions, marking his lowest yardage total since 2021. Rumors about Brown’s dynamic with Hurts affecting his production had long circulated.
This summer, in May, Hurts was absent from Brown’s wedding, and none of his Eagles teammates attended, according to TMZ. Former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay did attend, which underscored the palpable absence felt by those close to the situation. Brown, however, insisted there was no lasting bad blood between him and Hurts. “Not as close as we once were,” Brown said on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. “There is still a lot of love. I love him. We haven’t been as close as we were for a couple years now, and that didn’t stop anything.”
Regardless of what either side says, it has become evident that their once-strong relationship has run its course. The trade to New England marks a clear turning point, signaling a new chapter for Brown and a shifting dynamic for Hurts and the Eagles. As both sides move forward, the story of A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts serves as a reminder of how quickly professional relationships can evolve—once a flourishing pairing, now a chapter closed, with both men pursuing paths that better fit their evolving careers.