AJ Brown has been a professional and any frustration he has shown and voiced is correct
When AJ Brown put on an Eagles jersey for the first time to start the 2022 season there were already rumbling of some concern about what kind of teammate he would be. How dare AJ Brown grow frustrated with being nickel and dimed over his salary and catching worm burner passes from Ryan Tannehill! Anyway after another fleecing from Howie, Brown has evolved into an absolute monster in Philly. Through 44 games played as an Eagle, he has 242 receptions, 3,788 yards, and 22 touchdowns. He is on pace for his third straight 1,000+ yard season with the Eagles and his fifth in six years in the league. It is very easy to argue that AJ Brown is the best wide receiver in the NFL. The Eagles are 11-2 this year and are 38-13 since acquiring AJ. So what is the media firestorm surrounding the team right now?
AJ Brown Shares Frustration
Well, AJ Brown dared to say that the team that is 31st in passing yards per game and managed only 83 net passing yards this past Sunday against the Panthers–who allow over 200 a game–needs to improve the passing game. This is not the first time Brown has spoken up, but unlike any of the other few times he has voiced his concerns, he is 100% justified. The media, like always, is generating outrage over Brown stating exact facts. Now we somehow live in a world where it is Jalen Hurts vs AJ Brown, when in reality AJ just pointed out that they struggle to pass the ball and how that will come from not throwing much. There is no reason for this team to not feature AJ Brown… heavily. He only had 4 targets on Sunday and was missed on a deep pass earlier and a TD later in the game. Brown has only had double-digit targets in a game once this year, and it was week one. He ranks 45th in targets this year and has less than half as many as CeeDee Lamb, Garret Wilson, Jamar Chase, and Malik Nabers. Nabers has even played two less games than Brown. So we have arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in the prime of his career on an offense that is the 2nd worst passing game in the entire league, and they only target him five times a game. AJ Brown is a competitor who wants to contribute to success. Saying that the passing game needs to improve in the calm demeanor that he did honestly underscores the malpractice that is the use of him this season.
The media’s reaction to this mundane statement is why AJ Brown spent weeks on end last year refusing to talk to the media. The media for some stupid reason wants to paint Brown as a diva and he just isn’t. Things were not helped when on Monday night, Brandon Graham of all people, spoke up on his radio show and basically called AJ out for not being helpful; claiming that AJ Brown and Jalen are having a falling out. Graham is not one normally to lack this type of media literacy, so this does feel intentional for some reason. Graham has already rescinded and allegedly apologized to both guys, but that won’t matter, the story is out there.
AJ Brown and Jalen are “beefing”.
This whole situation is blown way out of proportion and is honestly embarrassing. There has been no indication that those two actually don’t like each other and, unlike McNabb and TO, Jalen and AJ are adults who are capable of talking out any issues. Sirianni, on the radio Tuesday morning, said that they have lunch together every day and it is substantially different than what is being said. This team is 11-2 and I guess the media is… bored? If you want the contradictory stance to AJ’s, it is that the team is 11-2 and this team’s identity is bully ball rather than airing it out. A nasty defense combined with the best O-Line and running back in football has led to them being able to wear teams out each week. Part of the reason that has been so successful is that teams cannot stack the box on Barkley because Devonta and AJ are on the outside. He is majorly contributing to the team’s success even when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. Some of his targets have solely disappeared because this is a run-first team now. AJ’s concerns are valid: Jalen has not thrown the ball all that well this year, has repeatedly struggled to read defenses, and just pumps fake open receivers at times for some reason. Passing is the defined weakness of this team. It could be what prevents a parade down Broad Street, and with the talent on that side of the ball, it does feel inexcusable. Ultimately this city can be exhausting and is making a big deal out of nothing. AJ Brown is great and should be more involved. Bet every over on AJ stats this weekend against the Steelers, we’re in for a show.
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