A.J. Brown Finally Addresses Jalen Hurts Relationship After Patriots-Eagles Joint Practice

A.J. Brown finally addressed the question that has followed him all summer, and the answer wasn’t what Eagles fans wanted to hear. During Wednesday’s joint practice between his new Patriots team and his former Eagles squad in Foxborough, Brown confirmed he hasn’t spoken with Jalen Hurts since the trade that sent him to New England in June, even as he insisted there’s no bad blood behind the silence.

Brown spent four seasons in Philadelphia, forming one of the NFL’s most productive quarterback-receiver duos with Hurts and helping deliver a Super Bowl title to the Eagles. That partnership ended on June 1 when Philadelphia traded the star receiver to New England in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Brown, who turned 29 in June, immediately stepped in as the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver and swapped his familiar No. 11 for No. 1, a number he chose even after Patriots legend Julian Edelman offered to let him wear 11 instead.

Brown Breaks His Silence on the Hurts Relationship

Facing a wave of Philadelphia reporters after Wednesday’s practice, Brown didn’t dodge the question of whether he and Hurts have talked since the trade. His answer was simple: no. The two were reportedly both in attendance at wide receiver DeVonta Smith’s wedding in the days following the deal, but even that shared moment apparently didn’t lead to a real conversation between them.

Brown made clear he wasn’t interested in stoking a narrative. “Philly, man, y’all are tough,” he said with a laugh, before adding, “it’s love. Listen, honestly guys, none of that stuff even matters. You all should want to report something positive. You know asking the question is going to turn negative. Let’s not get into that. Let’s keep everything positive. It’s love my way. And move forward, that’s all.” Hurts, speaking to his own group of reporters minutes later, echoed a similarly guarded but warm tone, saying, “I’ve got a lot of love for him, I always have,” while also admitting he “didn’t get to yet” catch up with his former teammate on the practice field. Both players left open the possibility of connecting before the two teams meet again this week, though neither seemed to be actively pursuing it.

Brown Still Looked the Part Against His Old Team

Whatever tension lingers off the field, Brown made sure Wednesday’s practice reminded everyone why the Eagles’ offense revolved around him for so long. Catching passes from Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Brown consistently won his matchups against Philadelphia’s secondary, including a heavily anticipated series of reps against cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who battled Brown constantly over the past two seasons as division rivals. Mitchell called the reps “a little more amped up” given their history, but Brown downplayed any edge to the competition. “It’s love between me and Q, man,” Brown said. “That’s little bro.” Brown also worked against cornerback Riq Woolen throughout the session and was seen mingling with several former Eagles teammates, coaches, and support staff after practice wrapped, saying he still “felt some love” despite now playing for an opposing team.

The reunion comes as Brown settles into a Patriots offense that made him one of the most notable veteran additions of the offseason. He’s signed through the 2029 season, with $28.75 million guaranteed this year and $4 million guaranteed in 2027, giving New England long-term security at a position that had been a question mark. Bettors tracking New England’s passing attack this preseason can check the latest NFL odds as Brown continues building chemistry with Maye ahead of the regular season.

What Comes Next for Both Sides

The Patriots and Eagles are slated for more joint work before their preseason matchup, giving both Brown and Hurts additional chances to cross paths in a lower-stakes setting than an actual game. Neither player has shown any interest in manufacturing drama, but the lack of direct communication since a trade that ended a genuine friendship and a championship partnership will keep drawing attention as long as the two remain silent about any deeper details. For now, Brown appears fully focused on his fresh start in New England, where he’s expected to anchor the receiving corps as the Patriots look to build around Maye and push for a return to postseason relevance.