Wide receiver AJ Brown, now with the New England Patriots, told reporters he has not spoken with former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts since his trade in June. When asked directly, Brown answered with a single “No,” and then steered the conversation toward a positive tone.
Joint practices bring former teammates together
The Patriots hosted the Eagles for joint practices at their Foxborough training facility this week, marking the first on‑field interaction between Brown and his former teammates since the trade. While Brown kept his remarks about the Eagles upbeat, he emphasized that the question about his relationship with Hurts was best left unaddressed.
“Honestly guys, none of that stuff even matters, man. You all should want to report something positive,” Brown said when pressed for details. “Let’s keep everything positive. It’s love my way.”
Hurts offers a warm assessment
Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl LIX MVP, responded with a similarly gracious comment, stating, “I’ve got a lot of love for him and always have.” The mutual respect suggests that any personal tension remains private.
Brown looks ahead with the Patriots
During the joint drills, Brown caught all six of his targets from third‑year quarterback Drake Maye in 7‑on‑7 and team drills, though he was unable to secure a pass against All‑Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in a one‑on‑one scenario. Brown praised Maye’s development, noting, “He’s very special, and he makes my job a lot easier. Just learning how he sees the game and getting on the same page.”
Brown also spent time chatting with former Eagles teammates Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean during practice breaks, underscoring his continued camaraderie with former colleagues.
Looking forward
Brown reiterated his affection for Philadelphia, saying, “I won a Super Bowl ring with them. It will always be love no matter how anyone feels. I love Philly and I will always love Philly but I’m here now. That’s where my feet are and that’s what I’m focused on.” The Patriots open their 2026 season on September 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, while the Eagles begin theirs on September 13 at home against the Washington Commanders.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
