A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts finally embraced during Thursday’s joint practice between the Eagles and Patriots, a full day after Brown flat-out stated he hadn’t spoken to his former quarterback since being traded. This wasn’t some casual sideline wave, either. Brown made a point to jog straight over to Hurts, then they hugged it out and actually had a conversation.
The Silence is Broken, and There’s No Lingering Animosity
This exchange on Thursday was the first time Brown and Hurts had talked since June 1, the day Brown was dealt from Philadelphia to New England. Brown’s comments the previous day about the radio silence really set the stage for this moment. It looked like the working relationship had run its course, but from what we saw, there’s no bad blood. These two appear to be on good terms, which is a big relief for anyone who watched their run together.
From Super Bowl MVPs to New Beginnings
You can’t talk about these two without remembering their incredible success. Brown had his two best statistical seasons with Hurts throwing him the ball. They were both Pro Bowlers for two straight years, and man, did they deliver in the biggest moments! In 2022, they led the Eagles to their fourth NFC title, and that 45-yard touchdown connection on the first play of the second quarter in the Super Bowl was absolutely electric. Then in 2024, they were at it again, grabbing the Eagles’ second Super Bowl title. Brown caught a touchdown in that Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs. Hurts, who played brilliantly against the Chiefs two years prior, took home the Super Bowl LIX MVP, scoring three total touchdowns, completing 77.3% of his passes, and even leading both teams in rushing. What a duo!
But that’s all history now, and 2026 is a new chapter. Despite all that past glory, both guys have plenty to prove this season. Brown needs to establish a strong connection with his new quarterback, Drake Maye. Hurts, on the other hand, is working to build that same kind of rapport with a rebuilt receiving corps, including rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon. This season is all about proving they can still be elite without each other, and it all starts with those new connections.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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