AJ Brown says friendship with Jalen Hurts grew distant before Patriots trade

Key facts

• AJ Brown stated his friendship with Jalen Hurts grew distant.
• The relationship issues occurred during their four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Brown was traded from the Eagles to the New England Patriots on Monday.
• The Eagles traded Brown due to salary cap implications, acquiring a first-round and fifth-round pick.
• Brown stated there is no bad blood and he wishes Hurts success.

Wide receiver A.J. Brown has spoken about the decline of his friendship with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Brown stated that while there is no bad blood between them, their relationship grew distant over their four seasons together in Philadelphia. This discussion follows Brown's trade from the Eagles to the New England Patriots on Monday. The Eagles traded Brown due to salary cap implications, which reduced a potential dead-money charge from $43.4 million to $16.3 million. In return, the Eagles received a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection from the Patriots. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler, caught 339 passes for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns during his tenure with the Eagles. He expressed confusion about why their friendship became a public talking point, emphasizing that they had not been as close for a couple of years but still competed effectively.