AJ Brown’s Doubts: Does He Trust Hurts & Sirianni?

AJ Brown’s Loyalty Questioned Amidst Eagles’ Offensive Uncertainty

The Philadelphia Eagles are facing a critical juncture this offseason, with significant questions swirling around the future of star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Despite his undeniable production since arriving in Philly, whispers of discontent and a potential desire to move on have surfaced, fueled by the team’s offensive struggles and a revolving door at offensive coordinator. Stephen A. Smith, a prominent voice on ESPN’s First Take, ignited the debate, boldly stating his belief that Brown doesn’t trust quarterback Jalen Hurts or head coach Nick Sirianni to maximize his potential.

“I don’t believe that A.J. Brown believes in Jalen Hurts. I don’t believe he believes in Nick Sirianni,” Smith declared, emphasizing that this sentiment stems from a receiver’s perspective on self-interest and maximizing his own production. “I’m talking about for his selfish motives… him being a receiver, knowing what he’s capable of doing. I don’t believe he trusts either party to highlight him in the way he wants to be highlighted so you can get max production from him.”

The context for these concerns is rooted in the Eagles’ disappointing end to last season, marked by offensive predictability and a lack of creativity. The team’s statistical downturn, dropping from 8th to 24th in total offense, 7th to 19th in scoring offense, and 10th to 24th in third-down conversions, paints a stark picture. Furthermore, the Eagles led the league in three-and-out drive percentage and ranked 21st in points per drive, statistics that Brown, a proven elite receiver, is undoubtedly aware of.

A New Offensive Voice, A Fresh Start?

Adding to the intrigue is the recent hiring of 32-year-old first-time offensive play-caller Kellen Moore. Moore presented a comprehensive offensive plan during his interview, which prominently featured A.J. Brown. “It included a ton of motion, a ton of play action passing, and AJ Brown was a significant part of that presentation,” reported Peter, suggesting that the new offensive scheme is designed to leverage Brown’s talents effectively.

This fresh approach offers a potential olive branch for Brown. “Time heals some wounds,” Peter observed. “I would think now that we’ve had a few weeks removed from the Eagles unfortunate departure from the playoffs, cooler heads will prevail. And with a fresh new voice in that room, I would think Kellen Moore and AJ Brown give them a new chance to start a new and not have the same stuff that was held over from last year, maybe even the year before.”

Lewis echoed this sentiment, acknowledging Brown’s past frustrations but highlighting the opportunity presented by Moore. “So, if you’re AJ Brown right now, you’re sitting there thinking, ‘Hey, look, how am I going to be deployed? How am I going to be utilized? How diverse is this offense going to be?'” Lewis questioned. “Because clearly he feels as though that wasn’t happening.” The proof, he added, will come during OTAs, mini-camps, and training camp.

The Numbers Don’t Lie, But Uncertainty Lingers

Brown’s production since joining the Eagles has been exceptional. In his four seasons with the team, he has amassed 78 catches for 1,103 yards and seven touchdowns last season alone, marking four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. His two seasons with over 1,400 yards stand as the highest in franchise history, underscoring his value.

However, it’s this very production that fuels the current uncertainty. “There’s a level of production there with AJ Brown that we can’t argue. But it’s because of that production that there’s so much trepidation around him,” Stephen A. explained. He further elaborated on Brown’s potential mindset: “I don’t believe he believes the Philadelphia Eagles under head coach Nick Sirianni are those dudes.”

The constant turnover at offensive coordinator is a significant factor. Brown is entering his fifth offensive coordinator in five seasons if Moore’s tenure is counted in that sequence. “When you bring in a guy that’s first-time coordinator and you failed on that once, you failed on that twice and then you going to try a third time. You don’t think AJ Brown notices?” Stephen A. questioned rhetorically.

Despite any lingering doubts, the financial implications of trading Brown before June 1st are substantial, carrying a $40 million dead cap hit. Trading him after June 1st significantly reduces this cost. “The prohibitive issue here is cost. It really is,” Peter noted.

Cowboys’ Pickens Franchise Tagged Amid Contract Dispute

In separate but related NFC East news, the Dallas Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. This move secures his rights through at least 2026 but signals a potentially contentious contract negotiation ahead.

“This is expected, but also get ready, buckle up because George Pickens is the next Cowboy in line that we’ve seen offseason drama over the last couple years,” warned Peter. He highlighted the history of similar situations with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons.

Pickens, who had a standout season with 93 receptions for 1,242 yards, 73 first downs, and nine touchdowns, is seeking a long-term deal commensurate with his production. However, the Cowboys are already paying Dak Prescott over $33 million per year, making it a complex financial decision. “Dallas knows that, but they already are paying a guy at 33 plus million dollars per year. It probably just doesn’t make it’s it’s not something that really is is kind of wise team building,” Lewis commented.

The franchise tag, which comes with a $29 million salary for one year, is not ideal for either party. “No player wants to necessarily be franchise tagged,” Peter stated. “This could drag on quite a bit and we could be talking about whether George Pickens is at OTAs, whether he is at training camp and then the question of okay, how is this going to be settled?”

The Cowboys’ decision is also influenced by concerns about Pickens’ past behavior in Pittsburgh and his perceived effort in certain games last season. “We saw George Pickens on the field on at least a couple occasions where his effort was being questioned. We heard about his petulance in Pittsburgh,” noted Stephen A. “I’m making the case for uh you know that because that’s the situation. He’s going to be out there making business decisions.” This concern about potential “business decisions” made by a player playing on the tag, where they may prioritize avoiding injury over maximum effort to secure future earnings, is a recurring theme in these disputes.

The deadline for a long-term deal is July 15th. If no agreement is reached, Pickens is expected to play the upcoming season on the tag, a situation that could lead to further drama and impact the Cowboys’ on-field performance.

Source: Stephen A. proclaims A.J. Brown doesn’t believe in Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts 👀 | First Take (YouTube)