Jalen Hurts Confirms A.J. Brown Relationship Rift Following Patriots Trade

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts confirmed to GQ magazine that he and former teammate A.J. Brown 'clearly' grew apart last season.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts confirmed in a GQ magazine interview published Tuesday, September 1, 2026, that he and wide receiver A.J. Brown grew apart during their final season together. When asked twice by host Zach Baron if the pair had distanced themselves, Hurts responded, "I mean, clearly." This admission follows Brown’s June trade to the New England Patriots and his subsequent appearance on the "7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony" podcast, where he told Maria Taylor that the two had drifted away despite no specific conflict occurring between their families or wives.

Brown’s production saw a decline during the 2025 season, where he recorded 1,003 receiving yards. This figure represented his lowest yardage total in four seasons with the Eagles. The frustration-filled 2024 campaign, however, resulted in a Super Bowl championship for Philadelphia. During his tenure, Brown achieved back-to-back seasons with over 1,400 receiving yards. General manager Howie Roseman previously conveyed that Brown expressed a desire for a change of scenery following the 2024 season, with internal sources suggesting Hurts’ play style contributed to the receiver's dissatisfaction.

Tension Over Offensive Targets and Zone Coverage

Specific frustrations cited by sources included Brown’s belief that he was not targeted sufficiently when facing zone coverage. The wide receiver utilized social media and various interviews throughout the 2025 season to voice his unhappiness regarding his role in the Philadelphia offense. Despite these public displays, Brown maintained that the distance between him and Hurts was a natural progression of life, stating, "Nothing happened, people just grow apart."

During joint practices in Foxborough, Massachusetts, last month, Brown informed reporters that he and Hurts had not spoken since the June trade. However, the former teammates were observed catching up during the second day of those sessions. Brown criticized the media focus on their dynamic, suggesting that reporters should prioritize positive stories rather than questions that elicit negative responses.

History From Alabama to Philadelphia

The connection between the two players predates their professional careers, beginning when Hurts hosted Brown on a recruiting visit to the University of Alabama. Their bond grew through offseason workouts, leading to Hurts being named the godfather to Brown’s daughter, Jersee. Despite the reported distance, Hurts told reporters in August that he still possesses "a lot of love" for the wide receiver.

In the GQ interview, which took place in Philadelphia, Hurts noted that the public discussion regarding their relationship was "no surprise." The quarterback’s comments provide the first direct confirmation of the sentiment Brown shared with Maria Taylor three months prior. While Brown described the situation as "both parties accepting" the drift, the trade to the Patriots officially ended a four-year partnership that had been one of the most productive in Eagles history.