Brandon Graham Clears the Air on Hurts-Brown Rift Rumors
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are flying high this season, but even the best teams can’t escape a little turbulence. Veteran defensive end Brandon Graham found himself in the middle of a media storm after comments he made about teammates Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown during a radio appearance on Monday night. Now, Graham is walking back those remarks, admitting he “had it all wrong.”
It all started when Graham appeared on his weekly radio show on 94 WIP and addressed Brown’s postgame criticism of the Eagles’ passing game following their narrow 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers. Graham emphasized the importance of keeping team issues in-house, but he also suggested that Hurts and Brown’s once-close friendship might not be what it used to be.
“The person that’s complaining needs to be accountable,” Graham said during the show. “I don’t know the whole story, but I know that [Hurts] is trying and [Brown] could be a little better with how he responds to things. They were friends before this, but things have changed, and I understand that because life happens. But it’s the business side that we have to make sure the personal doesn’t get in the way of the business.”
Those comments quickly made headlines, sparking speculation about a potential rift between the Eagles’ star quarterback and wide receiver. Brown had expressed frustration after Sunday’s game, saying, “passing” was what the offense needed to improve on and noting that “there’s not too much conversation” between him and Hurts during games when the passing attack isn’t clicking. Brown’s visible frustration on the sideline, including throwing his helmet after a three-and-out, only added fuel to the fire.
Graham’s Mea Culpa
By Tuesday, Graham was in full damage-control mode, telling ESPN he regretted his comments and planned to apologize to both Hurts and Brown. “I made a mistake, and I assumed that it was something that it wasn’t,” Graham said. “I just want to win so bad that I don’t just want to use the media when we need to talk about something and we can fix the problem ourselves. I didn’t add to it in a good light, so that’s my bad.”
Graham admitted that his assumptions were off-base and that his remarks only added unnecessary drama. “I just assumed, and it made me out to look even worse because I had it all wrong, and now people are going to run with that part. I really just want to win, man, and I want brothers to be able to just hash it out.”
He added, “I wasn’t trying to be divisive. I just didn’t want us to use the media in a bad way. And that starts with me, too. I can’t do that either. If I’ve got something, I’ve got to go to the people, too, instead of just feeding it like I did.”
What’s Going On with the Eagles’ Passing Game?
Despite their 11-2 record and nine-game winning streak, the Eagles’ passing game has been underwhelming. Hurts completed just 14-of-21 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns against Carolina. Brown wasn’t targeted until late in the second quarter, despite getting open for potential big plays. Fellow receiver DeVonta Smith summed it up best: “Being on the same page. Thinking the same. Seeing the right signals. Just going out there and making it work.”
Hurts took responsibility for the struggles, saying, “I think [the Panthers] did a good job; I think we did a bad job. That starts with me, how I execute. Ultimately, you yearn and I yearn for better synchronization, for a more complementary style of ball, in a sense.”
The Eagles’ offense has leaned heavily on their ground game, led by MVP candidate Saquon Barkley. They rank No. 1 in rushing attempts (473) and yards (190.5 per game) but are dead last in passing attempts (328). Brown acknowledged that it’s “incredibly tough” to find a rhythm as a receiver in such a run-heavy offense.
A History of Success and Challenges
Brown and Hurts have a long history together, dating back to when Hurts tried to recruit Brown to Alabama out of high school. Their bond has remained strong over the years, with Hurts even serving as the godfather to Brown’s daughter, Jersee. Since Brown joined the Eagles via trade from the Tennessee Titans in April 2022, the team has enjoyed tremendous success, including a Super Bowl appearance and three straight seasons with double-digit wins. Brown has also been a standout performer, surpassing 1,400 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.
However, the road hasn’t been without bumps. Last season, the Eagles collapsed with a 1-6 finish, a stretch marked by visible frustration from players and a disconnect between Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni. Graham’s comments this week were likely an attempt to prevent history from repeating itself, but they inadvertently stirred the pot.
Looking Ahead
With a playoff spot already clinched, the Eagles have plenty to celebrate. But as Graham’s comments remind us, even the best teams need to stay focused on maintaining chemistry and communication. For now, it seems Graham is ready to make amends and keep the Eagles soaring toward their ultimate goal: another Super Bowl run.
- Key Takeaway: The Eagles are 11-2 and playoff-bound, but their passing game remains a work in progress.
- What’s Next: Can Hurts and Brown get back on the same page and silence the doubters?
- Big Picture: With their ground game dominating, the Eagles need their aerial attack to step up for a deep postseason run.
Originally Written by: Tim McManus
