Full Breakdown
A.J. Brown Says No Bad Blood with Jalen Hurts After Trade to Patriots
6/2/2026, 10:35:41 PM
Trade to New England and Reflection on the Hurts Relationship
On Monday, June 2 2026, wide receiver A.J. Brown was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots. In his first interview after the move, conducted by NBC’s Maria Taylor, Brown addressed the public focus on his friendship with quarterback Jalen Hurts, describing the bond as “not as close as we once were” but emphasizing that “there’s no bad blood.”
History of the Brown–Hurts Partnership
Brown and Hurts first connected in college, a friendship that continued when the Eagles drafted Brown in 2022. ESPN’s Tim McManus called them “best friends” in December 2022, and their rapport was credited as a catalyst for the Eagles’ two Super Bowl appearances, including the victory in Super Bowl LIX. Over four seasons, the pair were described as “two alphas who want to be the best and demand greatness from each other.”
Key Figures
- A.J. Brown – All-Pro wide receiver, Super Bowl LIX champion.
- Jalen Hurts – quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles.
- New England Patriots – Brown’s franchise.
- Maria Taylor – NBC.
Performance Metrics
Brown finished his final Eagles season with 1,003 receiving yards, his lowest total in a Philadelphia uniform. He previously posted three All-Pro selections and contributed to the team’s Super Bowl win. During the 2025 season, the Eagles fell in the Wild-Card round to the San Francisco 49ers.
Official Statements & Responses
Brown explained that his comments about the offense were intended to motivate teammates, not to seek personal gain. He said his relationship with Hurts “has grown apart” but remains rooted in mutual respect, and he wishes Hurts success. Hurts, when asked about the partnership, described it as “really good.”
Criticism & Opposition
Observers noted Brown’s frustration with perceived reduced involvement in the offense, citing his occasional social-media posts that he later called “wrong.” An anonymous Eagles player told the Philadelphia Inquirer that external narratives about Brown “losing a step” may have amplified his discontent. Critics argued that the public focus on the friendship distracted from on-field performance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources consistently report Brown’s statements that there was no specific incident and that he and Hurts simply grew apart. No contradictory accounts of a major falling-out were found, leaving the exact reasons for the drift unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is my team,” Brown said. “This is my team since I was a kid.” — A.J. Brown, interview with Maria Taylor
- “We still competed, we still pushed each other, we still led the team. It was just kind of strange, people just got so fixated on our relationship and wanted to talk about maybe because the history of this place, but that wasn’t what this was. I’m going to say it to you, I’m going to say it on camera: I have nothing but love for him. I want him to do well and accomplish everything that his heart desires.” — A.J. Brown
- “Not as close as we once were. I believe that’s fine — there’s no bad blood. There’s actually still a lot of love, I love him. I love him to death, I want him to succeed and accomplish all the things that he wants to accomplish,” — A.J. Brown
- “Nothing happened, people just grow apart,” — A.J. Brown
What’s Next
Brown will begin his Patriots tenure in the upcoming 2026 season, aiming for a fresh start while Hurts leads the Eagles. Both parties have indicated readiness to move forward without lingering animosity.
