Eagles’ Hurts, Brown Say Friendship Isn’t Fractured Amid Speculation

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and receiver A.J. Brown addressed speculation surrounding their relationship on Wednesday, with both teammates indicating that it isn’t fractured. Brandon Graham earlier suggested that the duo’s friendship had soured, but Brown described Graham’s comments as “just being himself” and said they were taken out of context.

Brown said he was frustrated with the Eagles’ passing game in their recent win over the Carolina Panthers and called for improvement in that area. Some interpreted this as a criticism of Hurts, but Brown clarified that his goal was to point out the need for better performance on offense. He also referenced the team’s past successes and emphasized that their current struggles were an opportunity to correct mistakes.

The tension centered around Graham’s comments during his weekly radio show, where he stated that Hurts and Brown’s friendship had changed due to life’s circumstances. However, Hurts and Brown maintained that their relationship is personal and not a factor in the team’s performance.

In a statement, coach Nick Sirianni addressed the situation and encouraged his players to focus on the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team has been riding high with an 11-2 record and a strong ground attack led by Saquon Barkley, but they face a challenging test this week as they aim to regain their footing in the passing game.

Tackle Jordan Mailata echoed his coach’s sentiment, stating that the focus should be on the Steelers rather than internal issues. The Eagles are now looking to put aside the drama and move forward, both individually and collectively.

Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42918850/eagles-jalen-hurts-aj-brown-clear-air-say-graham-misspoke