Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has acknowledged that he and former teammate A.J. Brown grew apart before the wide receiver’s departure from the team, according to Yahoo Sports. In an interview with GQ published on a Tuesday, Hurts was asked directly whether he and Brown were no longer as close as they once were. After noting that the situation had already been discussed publicly, Hurts was pressed for another response and told the magazine, I mean, clearly,
as reported by Fox News.
Jalen Hurts Confirms Relationship With A.J. Brown Changed
The admission aligns with previous statements made by Brown. Following his trade to the New England Patriots in June for future draft compensation, Brown stated that he and Hurts were no longer as close as they had been during their time together in Philadelphia. Speaking on the 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony podcast in an interview with Maria Taylor, Brown explained that no single event caused the separation, stating, Nothing happened, people just grow apart.
He added, Nothing happened between me and him, or our families, wives, anything. Nothing like that ever happened. Life happens, and you just look up sometimes and you just, you find yourself drifting away, and that’s fine. And I think both parties accepted that.
History and Production Together in Philadelphia
The two players shared a close history that began long before they became teammates in the NFL. Hurts first hosted Brown on a recruiting trip when Hurts was at the University of Alabama. After Brown joined the Eagles following a trade from the Tennessee Titans in April 2022, their bond deepened through offseason workouts. Eventually, Hurts became the godfather of Brown’s daughter, Jersee.
That connection translated into substantial offensive production on the field. During his four seasons with the Eagles, Brown caught 339 passes for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns. He recorded 1,496 receiving yards in 2022 and 1,456 yards in 2023, marking the two highest single-season receiving totals in franchise history. Together, Hurts and Brown played pivotal roles in helping Philadelphia win the Super Bowl following the 2024 season.
Frustration, Trade, and Current Status
Despite their success, friction developed during the subsequent season. According to sources cited by ESPN, Brown grew frustrated with his role in the offense, including a belief that he was not receiving enough targets against zone coverage. His receiving total dropped to 1,003 yards during the 2025 season, the lowest of his four years in Philadelphia. Following an uneven 2025 campaign that ended with a wild-card round playoff loss at home to the San Francisco 49ers, general manager Howie Roseman noted that Brown informed the front office he wanted a change of scenery. The Eagles subsequently granted the request and traded him to the Patriots.
Brown stated last month that he and Hurts had not spoken since the trade, even during the Patriots’ joint practices with the Eagles. However, the two former teammates were later seen catching up and sharing a hug during the second joint practice between their respective teams.
