The Philadelphia Eagles‘ trade sending A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots was just one of two blockbuster deals on Monday, June 1. However, the trades involving Brown and former Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, who is heading to the Los Angeles Rams, feature two players whose tenures end in very different fashions.
Specifically, Brown’s relationship with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was a talking point throughout much of the past two NFL seasons, and the 28-year-old wide receiver addressed that topic during an honest conversation less than one day after the trade news broke.
‘People just grow apart’: A.J. Brown gives honest answer on relationship with Jalen Hurts
Speaking with Maria Taylor on 7PM in Brooklyn, Brown was asked directly about Hurts and their relationship at the end of his tenure with the Eagles.
“Not as close as we once were,” Brown said of his relationship with Hurts. “…There’s no bad blood, there’s actually still a lot of love. I love him to death, I want to see him accomplish all the things he want to accomplish. I didn’t truly understand why our friendship became the center of everybody’s attention when it came to football.”
AJ Brown admits he and Jalen Hurts aren’t as close as they used to be and haven’t been for a couple of years, but says there’s no bad blood between them.
“Nothing happened. People just grow apart.”
(📽️ @MariaTaylor, @7PMinBrooklyn) https://t.co/DkM9OPE2l2pic.twitter.com/c1ogRyidgt
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 2, 2026
“People just got so fixated on the relationship and wanting to talk about the history… but that wasn’t what this was. I have nothing but love for him…,” Brown continued. “Nothing happened. People just grow apart, nothing happened between me and him, or our families, or our wives, anything. Life happens, you just look up sometimes and you find yourself drifting away.”
The blockbuster deal sending Brown to the Patriots nets the Eagles a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. For the Patriots, it gives quarterback Drake Maye another weapon, pairing him with Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: A.J. Brown finally addressed the Jalen Hurts drama after Patriots trade