Nick Sirianni Dismisses Rift Rumors Between A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts, Sees ’22 Super Bowl Vibes
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles may be flying high with their ninth straight victory, but the buzz surrounding the team this week has been less about their success and more about the supposed tension between quarterback Jalen Hurts and star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Head coach Nick Sirianni, however, isn’t buying into the drama.
During his weekly appearance on 94WIP on Tuesday, Sirianni addressed Brown’s postgame comments following the Eagles’ 31-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Brown had expressed frustration with the team’s passing game, leading to speculation about a rift between him and Hurts. Sirianni, though, was quick to shut down the narrative.
“I didn’t take it that way,” Sirianni said. “You can do anything and spin it any way. I took it as we want to get better as a passing attack. A.J. is part of the passing attack. And so, we all want to be better at it.”
He continued, “Jalen and A.J. are both really outstanding people and both really outstanding players. I love that our players are wanting to get better and desire to get better, and that’s what we talk about all of the time — is how we get better and be able to do things that are special.”
Helmet Slam Sparks Speculation
The Eagles’ passing game was far from its best on Sunday. Hurts completed just 14-of-21 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Brown, meanwhile, wasn’t targeted until late in the second quarter, despite being open on several occasions. His frustration boiled over on the sideline when he slammed his helmet after a three-and-out drive.
After the game, Brown didn’t mince words, saying, “Passing” was the area the offense needed to improve. He also noted that “there’s not too much conversation” between him and Hurts during games when the passing attack struggles.
Brown’s comments, coupled with his visible frustration, led to questions about his relationship with Hurts. Defensive end Brandon Graham added fuel to the fire during a radio appearance on Monday night, suggesting that the two aren’t as close as they once were.
“The person that’s complaining needs to be accountable,” Graham said. “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.”
Graham later walked back his comments, telling ESPN he had “assumed that it was something that it wasn’t” and planned to apologize to both Brown and Hurts.
Hurts and Brown: A Bond Beyond Football
Despite the chatter, Sirianni emphasized the strong bond he sees between Hurts and Brown on a daily basis. The two have been close friends since before they became teammates in 2022, with Hurts even serving as the godfather to Brown’s daughter, Jersee.
“All I can judge things on is what I see on a daily basis,” Sirianni said. “When I see A.J. and Jalen communicating about the game plan, eating lunch together every single day, praying with each other before the game. There’s going to be speculation, and I get it — rightfully so based on what has happened the last couple of days — but all you can do is judge what you see.”
Ground Game Dominates, Passing Game Lags
The Eagles’ offense has leaned heavily on its ground game this season, led by MVP contender Saquon Barkley. They rank No. 1 in rushing attempts (473) and yards (190.5 per game) but sit dead last in passing attempts (328). Brown admitted it’s been “incredibly tough” to find a rhythm as a receiver in such a run-heavy offense.
Still, the Eagles have enjoyed tremendous success since acquiring Brown from the Tennessee Titans in April 2022. They reached the Super Bowl in his first season and have won double-digit games in each of the last three years. On Sunday, they clinched another playoff spot. Brown has surpassed 1,400 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons and has 836 yards and four touchdowns this year, despite missing three games with a hamstring injury.
Lessons from the Past
While the Eagles are riding high now, they’ve experienced their share of adversity. Last season, the team collapsed with a 1-6 finish, a stretch marked by visible frustration from players, including Brown, and a disconnect between Hurts and Sirianni. Sirianni, however, believes this year’s team is more like the 2022 Super Bowl squad than the 2023 version.
“Based off of what happened the last couple of days, [there’s talk of] ‘Oh, man, there’s a little 2023 vibes.’ I see a lot of 2022 vibes,” Sirianni said. “I just see joy.”
He added, “You can look at what you see in one week, but I’m looking at the big picture and, again, I see it as everybody wants to get better.”
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles’ passing game has struggled, but the team remains focused on improvement.
- Speculation about a rift between Hurts and Brown has been dismissed by Sirianni.
- The Eagles have clinched a playoff spot and are aiming for another deep postseason run.
As the Eagles continue their march toward the playoffs, the focus will remain on maintaining team chemistry and finding balance between their dominant ground game and a passing attack that still has room to grow.
Originally Written by: Tim McManus
