American Football
A.J. Brown reunites with Eagles and sets record straight on Hurts
Watch every NFL game only on Game Pass â–º Sign up
The reunion was highly anticipated. Yet it did not produce the scene some had been hoping for.
Now a member of the New England Patriots, A.J. Brown reunited with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday in Foxborough, during a joint practice between the two teams ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
The wide receiver caught up with several former teammates and members of the Philadelphia coaching staff. He did not, however, speak with Jalen Hurts, with whom he has reportedly had no contact since his trade in June, DAZN News understands.
Both Brown and Hurts nonetheless refused to fuel speculation about the state of their relationship.
A.J. Brown refuses to reopen the saga with Jalen Hurts
When asked whether he had spoken with Jalen Hurts during practice, his answer was blunt: "No."
When a reporter asked how the two former teammates had left things, the Patriots wide receiver refused to cast the situation in a negative light.
Brown also explained that he would speak to Hurts normally if the two crossed paths during the week's practice sessions.
The Eagles quarterback was equally measured when asked about his former teammate.
The two players did not come face to face on Wednesday, but neither presented their relationship as permanently broken.
Billie Weiss / Stringer
A warm reunion with the Eagles
A.J. Brown was, however, spotted deep in conversation with several former teammates, coaches and Eagles staff members.
The three-time Pro Bowler said he received a warm welcome, even as a player now representing an opposing team.
His final season in Philadelphia ended in difficult circumstances, but Brown has no desire to erase the four years he spent in an Eagles shirt.
Brown won Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles and appeared in another Super Bowl. He also put together two of the most productive seasons in franchise history for a wide receiver.
In 2022, he set a new Eagles record with 1,496 receiving yards, before following it up with 1,456 yards the following season.
The wide receiver surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his four seasons in Philadelphia, totalling 339 receptions and 32 touchdowns.
That record explains why he refuses to frame his departure as a complete break with the city or the organisation.
Billie Weiss / Stringer
Why A.J. Brown left Philadelphia
The situation had gradually deteriorated throughout the 2025 season with Brown growing increasingly frustrated by his role within an inconsistent offense.
Questions about his future then intensified following the Eagles' Wild Card playoff exit.
Against the San Francisco 49ers, the wide receiver caught just three passes for 25 yards. He did not speak to reporters after the defeat, leaving many questions unanswered.
Asked on Wednesday what message he wanted to send to Philadelphia supporters following that elimination, Brown acknowledged he had not played his best game.
He nonetheless repeated that he had no wish to revisit that chapter.
Brown still has no desire to detail the exact reasons that led him to want a change of team.
His trade was officially confirmed on June 1. The Patriots sent Philadelphia a first-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft and the better of their two fifth-round picks in 2027.
Brown stands out against his former team
On the field, A.J. Brown reminded the Eagles what they had lost. The wide receiver was particularly prominent during the joint practice, winning several one-on-one battles and offering Drake Maye a dominant target.
Even in a 2025 season considered disappointing, Brown still recorded 78 receptions, 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.
He remains one of the most physically imposing wide receivers in the NFL. His yards after the catch, his ability to win contested catches and his effectiveness on intermediate routes should add a new dimension to the Patriots' offense.
Brown has also been lavish in his praise of Maye since his arrival. Building their connection will be one of New England's key offensive storylines this season.
Can A.J. Brown take the Patriots back to the Super Bowl?
The Patriots reached the Super Bowl last season before falling to the Seattle Seahawks. After releasing Stefon Diggs in March, New England needed to find a genuine number-one target capable of supporting Drake Maye's development.
Brown fits that profile perfectly. He also knows Mike Vrabel very well, having been coached by him during his first three seasons with the Tennessee Titans. The wide receiver therefore returns to a familiar environment at the team he supported as a child.
Upon his arrival in June, Brown even compared his move to New England to a near-paradise experience. He did, however, refuse to claim that he is in a better headspace now than he was in Philadelphia.
Wednesday's practice above all confirmed that Brown now wants to talk about his future with the Patriots rather than his past.
His story with Philadelphia ended abruptly, but his reunion with the Eagles showed that the respect and affection had not faded.
Watch every game of the 2026 NFL season only on DAZN
The 2026 NFL season is fast approaching, including nine international games, and you can catch every snap on DAZN.
Enjoy an unmatched viewing experience with an NFL Game Pass subscription, which includes incredible features such as RedZone, NFL Network, Game in 40, Sunday in 60, Multiview, and more.
With prices starting from £179.99 per year or £16.99 per month, you can catch every twist, turn, and touchdown live or on-demand, from Week 1 to the Super Bowl.
And with every preseason game available live and free, it's the perfect chance to experience everything NFL Game Pass has to offer.
Sign up for Game Pass on DAZN now and get your front-row seat to the 2026 season.
