Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has had enough of the noise.
He’s heard all of the criticism. All of the blame. All of the speculation that he might want out of Philadelphia.
Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Brown took to the Philly airwaves as he called into ultra-popular sports talk station, WIP to speak the/his truth.
Here is the full conversation with A.J. Brown on today's @AfternoonsWIP with @Ike58Reese and @JackFritzWIP.
(@1kalwaysopen_ – A.J. confirmed he was previously hacked, but this is his account again)https://t.co/hwAxgRlHbE
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 23, 2024
Brown made it clear that he has no problem with quarterback Jalen Hurts, head coach Nick Sirianni or anybody within the Eagles organization.
“I have no problem. I want to be here, it’s as simple as that,” Brown told WIP. “I love where I’m at, it’s as simple as that. Next question.”
Yeah he’s a great leader…. Didn’t even travel to Tampa bay for a playoff game. Any other “great leader” would of been there to “keep his teammates accountable”
— Cards Prestige (@mrgmonkey7265) February 26, 2024
Brown dismissed the rumored friction between he and Hurts, calling it “total B.S.”
“I’m not going to get into me and his relationship on the air. But it’s total B.S., you know what I’m saying?” he said. “It wasn’t a problem when I was on my six-game streak. They wasn’t talking about that then, so they only started talking about that when we started losing,” Brown said.
“Of course, you see friction from everybody, from the coaches, the players and from everybody. So there you go.”
Just heard A.J. Brown on Philly Sports Radio and wow, what a shocker, he actually had something intelligent to say🙄Thanks for gracing us with your presence and clearing the air, Mr. Brown. I'm sure the entire city of Philadelphia was just dying to hear your hot takes🙄
— Garfield JP (@GarfieldUtd_) February 23, 2024
Brown referred to his streak of six consecutive games with over 125 receiving yards, an NFL record, amidst the Eagles turbulent season.
Despite an impressive start record-wise, it was clear that the 2023 Eagles were nowhere near as complete, dangerous or “together” as the 2022 NFC Championship team.
Jalen Hurts has more interceptions on a superteam than Bryce Young does on a shitty onepic.twitter.com/R5r8KNXv7x
— ᵀʰᵒᵐᵃˢ🌨 (@ThomasWrrld) December 19, 2023
Sure enough, the Birds season went down in ugly fashion – and I mean UGLY fashion.
It’s no secret that Brown didn’t exactly help matters with how he handled things.
He refused to speak to the media for a long stretch of the season and his body language on the field could only be described as piss-poor.
“I don’t want to talk to them because no matter what I say, you guys are going to make a story and pinpoint it however you want to pinpoint it,” he said of the media.
Here’s what A.J. Brown just did to the media: pic.twitter.com/vkqtFMUmDY
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaPFN) February 23, 2024
Brown frequently launched into temper tantrums on the sidelines. However, he explained that all of his frustrations came from a place of passion.
“I’m the person that you need on the team because I’m willing to hold people accountable and make people around me better, but nobody sees that,” Brown said.
“All you see is the little flare ups and stuff like that and I can honestly say you see the flare ups because nobody in that building works harder than me. Nobody in that building prepares more than me.”
“I can stand on that and say that. That’s why you see the passion … Nobody putting in that time like me I know that for a fact.”
And that is why he is the best player on the Eagles BY FAR.
Love that AJ Brown stood up for himself and the Birds.
Let’s go win the Super Bowl. 🦅
— Jim Kryjer (@jimkryjer) February 23, 2024
“You see me getting upset on the sideline and you automatically think it’s about targets. No, no, what if I’m holding my players accountable? What if I’m the guy who pushes everybody in the locker room?” he added.
AJ. Coming from a fan of the team for many many years lol….
This is one of the, if not the, most dramatic fan base in all of football. They live and breath Eagles football in Philadelphia.
I will always love the team, but half the fan base is ruthless and exhausting.
— Rich Stazio (@RStazio) February 23, 2024
In closing remarks, Brown affirmed his commitment to the Eagles and urged those propagating rumors to reconsider their actions.
“I just want to let Philly know I love ’em, and everybody who’s making those rumors, hey man, you need to find another job,” he said.
@1kalwaysopen_ please retire an Eagle 🦅!!! We love you bro good shit, speaking the truth and telling @SportsRadioWIP how it is!!!
— Gawd Ace (@GawdAce_) February 23, 2024
For the most part, Brown said all of the right things as he attempted to smooth over the turbulence in Philly.
Now, whether you believe him or not is up to you … There certainly are more than a few people who feel there’s a major disconnect between Brown and Hurts in particular.
But with plenty of years and money remaining on his contract, it seems like Brown is committed to trying to make it work with his quarterback in Philly.
— . (@Zay_x_) February 26, 2024
What are your thoughts on Brown’s comments?
Do you believe him? … Or do you think he’s just putting lipstick on a pig?
Is there a deeper, almost unfixable problem with the Eagles? … Or can they turn things around next season and get back on track?
is it too early? pic.twitter.com/Uk7QXYqOOk
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) January 7, 2024
There’s no denying Brown is a great player. Yes, he can certainly be a bit of a headache at times. But it seems like his heart is in the right place.
The bigger and much more important question surrounds Jalen Hurts … Is he truly a franchise quarterback??
Do you think this season was just a fluke? … Or have you seen enough cracks to be worried??
I need the Philadelphia sports media to just stop talking about AJ Brown immediately
— Chris OIIey (@chrisoIIey) February 26, 2024