Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown has always been known for his no-nonsense attitude, but his blunt response to a question about the Eagles' offense after their near-loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday has sent shockwaves through the locker room. When asked about what was wrong with the offense, Brown didn’t mince words, answering simply with, “Passing.” But his terse comment raised more questions than answers, putting a spotlight on a brewing tension with his quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
It seems that the drama didn’t end there. On Monday afternoon, Philadelphia team captain Brandon Graham, who is currently sidelined for the season with a triceps injury, shed more light on the situation during an appearance on Sports Radio WIP. Graham didn’t hold back when addressing the underlying issue between Brown and Hurts, suggesting there is indeed some “bad blood” between the two.
“The Person Complaining Needs to Be Accountable”
Graham made it clear that while he doesn’t know the full story, he feels that Brown needs to step up and take responsibility for his part in the situation. “The person that's complaining needs to be accountable,” Graham said as quoted by SI on his own Brandon Graham Show. “I'm just being honest… I know that 1 [Jalen Hurts] is trying and 11 [A.J. Brown] could be a little better with how he responds to things.”
Graham’s words weren’t just a casual remark; they were a sharp criticism of Brown’s behavior, implying that the star receiver could be doing more to address his frustrations constructively rather than airing them publicly. The seasoned veteran also highlighted how the personal dynamics between the two have clearly shifted.
“They Was Friends Before This…”
Adding another layer to the situation, Graham shared that the relationship between Brown and Hurts was once close, but things have changed. “They was friends before this,” Graham noted. “But things have changed, and I understand that because life happens.” While he acknowledged that personal dynamics sometimes evolve, Graham emphasized that business—especially in football—must always come first.
“That's where we gotta do better,” Graham continued. “Because we know it's an issue. Everybody's seen some things.” The veteran defender was referring to the clear tension that has surfaced between the two players. While Graham didn’t explicitly spell out the nature of the conflict, the implications were obvious.
The Need for Communication
Despite the strain between Brown and Hurts, Graham believes that the only way to resolve the situation is through open communication. “We need to be able to talk things out as men,” Graham asserted. “We need to let personal stuff go and let's get right for this game. Because, man—most of the time it's just a conversation that needs to be had, but the person with the problem has gotta wanna talk to the person, other than others.”
Graham’s message is clear: if the Eagles are to move past this issue, it’s on A.J. Brown to take the first step and engage with Hurts. With the team fighting to stay on top of the NFC, resolving personal conflicts could be crucial for their success down the stretch. The clock is ticking, and it seems like the ball is now in Brown’s court. Will he choose to talk it out with Hurts, or will the rift continue to simmer, possibly derailing the Eagles’ playoff aspirations?
Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Eagles' locker room is watching.
