NFL news: AJ Brown says he and Jalen Hurts grew apart before Eagles trade
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Philadelphia Eagles traded wide receiver AJ Brown to the New England Patriots on Monday, and the wide receiver said his relationship with star quarterback Jalen Hurts has become estranged.
Brown, 28, said that although there was no animosity between him and his former quarterback, the two had drifted apart.
“We’re not as close as we once were,” Brown said. “7pm in Brooklyn.”
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
(Left) Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown (11) leaves the field after a game against the Washington Commanders on December 20, 2025 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. (Right) Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) stands on the field after the national anthem before the NFC Wild Card Round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images; Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
“I believe it’s okay. It’s like there’s no bad blood. There’s actually still a lot of love, I love him to death. I want him to be successful and achieve everything he wants to achieve.”
The three-time Pro Bowler said nothing happened and both parties acknowledged they were drifting apart. Hurts recently made the news that he would not attend Brown’s wedding in May.
“Nothing happened. People are drifting away from each other. Nothing happened between him or our families, our spouses. Nothing like this ever happened,” Brown said. “But life happens and sometimes when you look up you find yourself drifting away. That’s good. And I think both parties have accepted that.”
The former Ole Miss star said he was confused as to why their friendship had become such a public topic.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. GET THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
AJ Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on September 21, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
“I really didn’t understand why our friendship became the center of attention when it came to football because looking back we haven’t been as close for a few years now, that hasn’t stopped anything,” Brown said.
“We were still competing, we were still pushing each other, we were still leading the team. It’s kind of weird, people are so focused on our relationship.”
Hurts and Brown helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory two seasons ago. In four seasons in Philadelphia, Brown caught 339 passes for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Despite the success, the Eagles moved on from Brown on Monday after it became more advantageous to trade him on June 1 due to salary cap space.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles watch the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 4, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Eagles went from carrying a likely $43.4 million dead money charge on the trade to reducing it to $16.3 million under the NFL’s June 1 salary cap rules. The team acquired 2028 first-round and 2027 fifth-round draft rights from Patriots for Brown.
Now in New England, Brown has nothing but love for Hurts.
“I have nothing but love for him, I want him to be successful and achieve everything his heart desires.”
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
