The Philadelphia Eagles are 11-2 and headed to the playoffs for the 4th straight year under Nick Sirianni, but you wouldn’t think so following their most recent win over Carolina. Instead, all of the discourse has been centered on Jalen Hurts, and more recently, A.J Brown.
Hurts ended Sunday’s game with 108 yards and 2 passing touchdowns, while Brown 43 yards on the night. The former Titan has gone under 70 yards in 3 of his last 4 games, and it doesn’t seem to be sitting overly well with him.
After the game, Brown was asked about what needed to improve offensively. He responded with one word: ‘Passing’.
Brandon Graham opens up on the bond between Jalen Hurts & A.J Brown
Fast forward less than 24 hours and Brandon Graham hopped on his WIP show to discuss the relationship between the two close friends:
‘The person that’s complaining needs to be accountable. I don’t know the whole story. 1 is trying. 11 could be a little better with how he responds to things. They were friends before this, but things have changed and I understand that because life happens.
But it’s the business side where we have make sure we don’t let the personal get in the way of the business and that’s what we have to do better as of right now. We know it’s an issue. Everybody’s seen some things. But We need to be able to talk things out as men and let personal stuff go. Let’s get right for this game. Most of the time it’s a conversation that can be had, the person with the problem has got to want to talk to the person more than others, that’s all I’m saying.’
Oof.
Brandon Graham is not the type of player to mince his words. He’s been a veteran leader on this team for a long time and played all season with this team until a heartbreaking injury ruined his fairytale ending. It’s very rare for BG to talk about something so publicly, yet also so down the middle.
There are understandable reasons why A.J Brown would want to ensure he’s getting his and feel frustrated with the meat being left on the bone, but the team is 11-2, Saquon Barkley is enjoying a historic season, and the Eagles are destined to push for a Super Bowl appearance.
It’s also easy to see why Brown would be annoyed at the total change of offensive identity. Jalen Hurts isn’t playing the same way he did in 2023…for better or worse.
How deep these issues run is anyone’s guess, as is who’s actually at fault, who’s mad, and even why…but there’s no doubt that these comments are going to up a whole new can of worms at a very inopportune time as the Birds prepare for a clash with the Steelers.
Both A.J And Hurts are incredibly mature and I’d like to think whatever issues are getting between the two can be worked out…but only time will tell.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
