Professional athletes often live in a bubble of fame, wealth, and privilege, which can make it difficult for them to see things from the same perspective as the rest of us. While this disconnect is generally accepted, there are times when they take it too far. When athletes seem out of touch with reality and begin creating false narratives, it’s fair to call them out.
A good example is Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who publicly criticized his quarterback, Jalen Hurts, after the Eagles’ ninth consecutive win in Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers. Brown was unhappy with the passing game, having recorded just 4 receptions for 43 yards. He wasn’t alone in his frustration, as fellow wide receiver DeVonta Smith also voiced dissatisfaction, even though Hurts had been playing with a broken finger on his non-throwing hand.
This situation didn’t need to escalate. The public airing of grievances by Brown and Smith turned into a controversy purely because they chose to make it one.
Things took another strange turn in Week 15 after the Eagles defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-13. Brown, who had 8 receptions for 110 yards in that game, told NBC Philadelphia’s John Clark that he and Hurts’ awkward celebration dance — inspired by the Kid ‘n Play movies — was their way of telling everyone to “shut up.” The timing was curious, as it came just one week after Brown had criticized Hurts. Former ESPN host Trey Wingo pointed out the irony of Brown’s statement, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that it was “comical” because if Brown had kept quiet, no one would have known about the controversy in the first place.
While Brown is undeniably one of the NFL’s top receivers and among the highest-paid players in the league, his talent and wealth haven’t necessarily made him the best teammate. Brown was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and, after a year of dissatisfaction with his contract, forced a trade to the Eagles in April 2022. He claimed the trade was prompted by the Titans offering him a “low deal,” and after the trade, the Eagles signed him to a lucrative four-year, $100 million contract extension.
Despite his high salary and performance on the field, Brown’s production in 2024 has dipped slightly. Through 14 games, he has 56 receptions for 946 yards and 5 touchdowns, down from his impressive back-to-back All-Pro and Pro Bowl seasons in 2022 and 2023, where he exceeded 1,400 receiving yards both years.
This isn’t the first time Brown’s frustration with Hurts has surfaced. However, it’s clear that the Eagles are still a better team overall this season, especially with Brown sharing the offensive spotlight with running back Saquon Barkley, who has set a franchise record with 1,688 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite Brown’s slight dip in individual stats, the Eagles’ offense is still thriving in 2024, offering a more balanced approach compared to last season when they finished 10-1 before a 1-5 slide in their final six games.
