‘We bump heads’ – AJ Brown confirmed Jalen Hurts issues with candid admission on Philadelphia Eagles’ ‘Alpha’ culture

Despite going 11-2, all was not well as Jalen Hurts struggled to move the ball through the airA.J. Brown was held to 43 yards — a team high — on four receptions.  “Passing,” he bluntly replied when asked where the team could improve.  The comment was taken as a direct attack on quarterback Hurts.

After all, the Eagles had previous with former passer Donovan McNabb and Hall of Fame wideout Terrell Owens beefing for two decades.  Owens even blamed the team’s 2005 Super Bowl loss on McNabb during the media storm that surrounded Brown’s comments.

Former Tennessee Titans star Brown appeared on the ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game’ podcast and opened up on his relationship with Hurts.  “I’d be lying to tell you we never had any issues,” he admitted. “We’re two alphas who want to be the best, and demand greatness from each other and everyone around us.

“Some reports are true, some aren’t. But me and him are good, man. We just wanna be great.  “And sometimes we bump heads, but that’s normal. And don’t nobody sweat it. It’s normal.”  Brown is adamant that both he and Hurts are working for the greater good.

He thinks the past led to some of the more speculative reports of a rift.  “With the history of this team, with McNabb and T.O., it’s magnified times 10,” he added.  Earlier in the season, the Eagles lent on Saquon Barkley and a formidable ground game.  The running back was shut down by the Kansas City Chiefs — possibly the only part of the gameplan Andy Reid’s team executed.

But Hurts was superb in the pocket, completing 17 of 22 throws for 221 yards and two scores in a 40-22 win. He could have had more but there was no need to pile on the offense as the Chiefs wilted.  Brown hauled in one of those TDs and despite managing just 43 yards on three catches, there were no complaints with the Vince Lombardi Trophy secured.

For all the criticism, the gifted pass-catcher was trying to make his team better and more balanced while they still had time.  Brown, who was unfairly blasted during the playoffs after being spotted reading a book on the sideline, posted a message on social media shortly after the Super Bowl where he said the jubilation of winning was ‘short-lived.’

That was taken as another dig at Hurts for not getting him more involved, but he quickly shut down those reports on the Kickin’ It With Dee podcast.  “I wrote the post and it was just like, it wasn’t fulfilling,” Brown said. “It didn’t do anything for me. It didn’t do a lot for me that I thought. … Even watching people win Super Bowls, I’m like, ‘Oh they’re happy, they’re celebrating in the locker room, drinking and stuff.’

“I’m just like, ‘Okay, alright that’s how I supposed to feel.’ And I’m in the locker room after we win… I’m trying to feel how I pictured it, you know what I’m saying? My expectations of it.  “And I was totally wrong. I even sat down in the locker room for a second ‘cause I got tipsy ‘cause I don’t drink… I was just like, ‘Man, this is cool but I’m ready to go.’”