A.J. Brown made waves as one of Philadelphia Eagles most dynamic wide receivers during four seasons with them, connecting powerfully with quarterback Jalen Hurts for one Super Bowl victory while their partnership had peaked; yet by 2026 their once strong relationship had soured enough that Brown sought trade offs away from Philadelphia Eagles; six-time Pro Bowler Terrell Owens shared his thoughts.
“I think I am like everyone else; it is unfortunate,” Owens commented. “Ultimately two teammates can’t get along, as well as management; therefore someone needs to step in to rectify the situation – I believe he made his choice accordingly.
Brown is now officially a member of the New England Patriots after being traded by the Eagles in exchange for future draft picks. This move provides Brown with a fresh start while allowing Philadelphia to free up some salary cap space.
Once considered inseparable, Brown and Hurts’ relationship goes back to their college days, with Hurts even recruiting Brown to Alabama. Teammates often referred to the duo as an “old married couple,” and Brown chose Hurts to be the godfather of his daughter.
However, the 2025 season brought growing frustration for Brown. His production declined, and he expressed dissatisfaction publicly, including during a Twitch livestream where he described the team’s situation as a “s– show” and complained about how he was being utilized. When asked about these comments, Brown stood firm, suggesting that anyone paying attention could understand his frustration.
In 2024, the emergence of Saquon Barkley affected Brown’s opportunities on offense, limiting his numbers despite solid performances. Speculation about tension between Brown and Hurts had been circulating for some time.
Further fueling rumors, Hurts was notably absent from Brown’s wedding earlier this year, along with other Eagles teammates, amplifying whispers of a rift. Only former teammate Darius Slay attended, highlighting the absences.
Brown maintains there is no bad blood between him and Hurts despite their previous interactions. On a podcast he stated “we may no longer be close, but there remains lots of love between us; although, recently our relationship may not have been as close we once were, but that didn’t alter anything”.
No matter the statements from either side, it is evident that their once close bond has dissipated, leading to Brown leaving the Eagles for New England Patriots and starting over there.