Even after a win, there are apparently still issues between A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Philadelphia Eagles snapped a two-game losing streak with a big win over the Minnesota Vikings last week, and in the midst of the victory, wide receiver A.J. Brown had a breakout game, hauling in four receptions for 121 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
But was that enough to assuage Brown's frustrations? Apparently not.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic has reported that the Eagles are still having problems with Brown in spite of his Week 7 performance.
"Brown — who will miss Week 8 with a hamstring injury — is loved in the Eagles’ locker room and even has a lengthy personal history with his quarterback, Jalen Hurts, but it’s obvious something has changed between the two on the field," Russini wrote. "The Eagles will say everything is fine, but many around the league can see it plainly on the film."
Brown expressed frustration over his role in a pointed social media post earlier in the season and then appeared to quit on a route the following week. He was also seen looking very discouraged on the sideline alongside of DeVonta Smith during Philadelphia's Week 6 loss to the New York Giants.
“Hurts struggles against zone," an opposing defensive coach told Russini. “That’s when A.J. goes MIA. There are times it looks like Hurts doesn’t fully trust what he’s seeing, so he checks it down and plays it safe. It’s either a deep shot or a checkdown — not much in between. The timing is just off. And you can see it on the field — the communication between Hurts and Brown just isn’t there right now.”
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie told Russini that the organization will always take a team-first approach, so even if Brown is upset, Philadelphia will keep him if it feels that's what's best for the ballclub. That also means Philly would have no qualms trading him if it came to that.
The chances of the Eagles actually moving on from Brown before the Nov. 4 trade deadline seem very slim. Philadelphia is trying to defend its Super Bowl championship, and moving its best receiver would run contrary to that goal.
It's also worth noting that Brown has caused any divisiveness in the locker room, at least as far as players going against him is concerned.
And in spite of all the drama, the Eagles are 5-2 and will get a chance for revenge against the Giants on Sunday. As Russini noted, Brown will be sidelined for the affair.