A.J. Brown’s Uncertain Future in Philly: Tension Behind the Scenes
A.J. Brown’s future with the Eagles is suddenly one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason - and not just because of what’s being said publicly. While Eagles GM Howie Roseman offered a vague endorsement of Brown during the team’s end-of-season press conference, saying it’s “hard to find great players” and that Brown “really loves football,” the wide receiver’s silence - and actions - are starting to speak louder than any front office platitudes.
Let’s rewind a bit. Brown has never been shy about his frustrations with the Eagles’ passing game.
Over the last two seasons, he’s voiced his concerns to the media and on social platforms, and those frustrations seemed to peak midseason. Following a private conversation with team owner Jeffrey Lurie after a November practice, Brown dialed it back publicly - but then he stopped talking to the media altogether.
And after the Eagles’ 23-19 Wild Card loss to the 49ers, Brown didn’t offer a word to reporters, fueling more speculation about his standing with the team.
And now, there’s more smoke. A report surfaced Friday claiming that Brown had requested a trade “numerous times” during the season - dating all the way back to Week 3.
That’s notable, because in that Week 3 win over the Rams, Brown had a standout performance: six catches, 109 yards, and a touchdown. But over the first two games of the season, he had just six catches for 35 yards total.
That kind of usage - or lack thereof - likely didn’t sit well with a player of Brown’s caliber.
The Eagles, for their part, continue to present a united front. But it’s hard to ignore the signs.
Brown didn’t appear during the media’s locker room access on cleanout day, but he did leave behind signed jerseys in the lockers of young defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean - a cryptic gesture that’s open to interpretation. Is it a goodbye?
A statement of support? Either way, it’s not nothing.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has been the indirect target of some of Brown’s frustrations with the offense, said the two had spoken and that their relationship is in “a good, great place.” He encouraged reporters to “talk to him and ask,” but Brown has remained silent.
The optics got even murkier during the playoff loss to San Francisco. Cameras caught Brown and head coach Nick Sirianni in a sideline argument during a game where Brown had just three catches for 25 yards and dropped a few key passes.
Sirianni downplayed the exchange afterward, saying, “I love A.J. I think he knows how I feel about him.”
He added that their relationship has been through every emotion - laughter, tears, yelling - and that “we’re both emotional.”
But the question remains: does Brown still want to be in Philadelphia?
Cowboys Eye Eagles Connections for DC Job
While the Eagles are dealing with internal drama, their NFC East rivals are busy retooling their coaching staff - and they’re looking to Philly for answers. The Cowboys have entered the second round of interviews for their defensive coordinator opening, and two of the three finalists have ties to the Eagles.
Former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and current defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Christian Parker are both in the mix, along with Vikings assistant Daronte Jones. All three are expected to get in-person interviews at Cowboys HQ.
Parker has quietly become one of the more respected young minds in the league. After cutting his teeth under Vic Fangio in Denver, Parker stuck around for two more seasons before rejoining Fangio in Philadelphia.
Since then, he’s helped develop Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into All-Pro caliber players in just their second seasons. Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba was also emerging as a starter before a season-ending ankle injury cut his campaign short.
As for Gannon, his name still stirs emotions in Philly. He was the DC during the Eagles' Super Bowl LVII loss, where the defense surrendered a 10-point halftime lead to the Chiefs.
After the game, Gannon took the Cardinals’ head coaching job - despite previously indicating he’d stay in Philly - and Arizona was later hit with a tampering charge for contacting him during the two-week window between the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl. That didn’t sit well with the Eagles’ front office.
Gannon also took Eagles linebackers coach Nick Rallis with him to Arizona to serve as his DC, a move he later admitted was “a mistake.” If he ends up in Dallas, it’ll be a full-circle moment - and one that would only add fuel to the already fiery Eagles-Cowboys rivalry.
Playoff Watch: Former Eagles Still in the Hunt
There’s a little piece of Philly on every team left in the playoffs, whether it’s on the active roster or practice squad. But the most notable name is Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams, who won a ring with the Eagles last season and is now chasing another in New England.
Williams signed a major free-agent deal with the Patriots and has been a force on their defensive front. This week, he admitted he didn’t expect New England to be this good in his first season away from Philly.
“Not going to lie. No.
I didn’t,” Williams said with a smile.
Now, he’s two wins away from another Super Bowl appearance - and possibly, another ring.
As the Eagles head into a pivotal offseason filled with tough decisions and potential shakeups, the stories around A.J. Brown, the coaching carousel, and familiar faces still chasing a title elsewhere all serve as reminders of how quickly things can change in the NFL.