AJ Brown Dodges Chance To Deny Trade Rumors
AJ Brown had a slightly tumultuous season. He was clearly frustrated late in the season. Some reports claimed his frustration was directed at Nick Sirianni, though he later denied those claims. But something was clearly wrong. And it all fed into what are likely bogus trade rumors.
Let’s make one thing very clear. The Eagles have no reason to trade AJ Brown. As disappointing of a season as the Eagles had, AJ Brown was still one of the most productive players in the NFL. So the rumors likely have little to no merit. But AJ Brown had a chance to end these trade rumors recently. He and Devonta Smith appeared on Up and Adams, with Kay Adams, and she asked him about the rumors. And he did not exactly take the opportunity to deny them.
“Maybe they know something I don’t… I’ve been through this before. I’m a Vet. I remain quiet. If something happens I’ll be waiting by the phone. But if not, I’ll be right here.”
Brown could have said he doesn’t want to be traded. He could have put the foolish rumors to bed once and for all. But his actual response was pretty weak. Kay Adams even gave him multiple chances to give the easy answer, and he kept dodging it. Devonta Smith eventually stepped in and said he was not going anywhere. But Brown missed chance after chance to kill the rumor.
Again, Brown is not getting traded. They won’t start out their new-look offense by moving the best player on that offense. That would be incredibly dumb and counter-intuitive to their plan. And most people in the Eagles seem to think the rumors have no merit.
Matt Breen joined Andrew Salciunas earlier today and said there he is not getting traded:
“AJ Brown is not getting traded. 100 catches last year, new offensive coordinator, that is what you want to work with. If he forces their hand, that is a different story. But it would be bizarre if their plan was to dump a guy like that. You are reimagining this offense, you want to do it with one of the best WRs in football.”
But the fact the rumors are nonsense does not excuse how bad Brown’s answer was here. People complain about how the media twists things. But stuff like this keeps the silly trade rumor talks alive. He had the perfect chance to end it all. He could have said he loves playing in Philly and wants to stay an Eagle. But he did not take advantage of this chance. And because of that, he has given new life to the silly trade rumors.
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Philadelphia Eagles 2024 Offseason Stay Or Go: Offense
Jalen Hurts
Hurts didn’t have an excellent season in 2023. His agility and explosiveness as a runner didn’t help the offense like it did in 2022, and he carelessly turned the ball over at a rate well above his career average. However, there’s no chance the Eagles look to make a change at starting quarterback this offseason.
Stay
Marcus Mariota
Hurts stayed relatively healthy, and the Eagles didn’t play in many blowout games that gave Mariota a chance to take snaps. There is not enough of a sample size with the Eagles to judge the performance of the former Heisman Trophy winner in regular-season action.
While the Eagles have a preference for backups with starting experience, they could bring in a free agent upgrade even if they aren’t comfortable with Tanner McKee on the second team.
Go
Tanner McKee
McKee was never expected to make an immediate impact. He performed well during the preseason, and the organization will hang onto him as their second or third quarterback in 2024.
Stay
D'Andre Swift
The Eagles don’t typically value running backs as a top priority. Allowing Miles Sanders to leave in free agency and acquiring Swift for a minimal trade package demonstrated those feelings.
Swift carried the ball 229 times in 2023, shattering his previous career-high of 151. A running back coming off a 1000-yard season will command more money in free agency than the Eagles will offer.
Go
Kenny Gainwell
Nick Sirianni values Kenny Gainwell highly, for better or for worse. Even if the head coach doesn’t return, Gainwell is a serviceable back on an affordable rookie contract.
Stay
Boston Scott
The Giants bit was fun while it lasted. The Boston Scott era might’ve finally run its course after the 5-foot-6 back only had 24 offensive touches on the season.
Go
Rashaad Penny
Penny never found a role with the Eagles. It’s surprising that they kept him on the roster the entire season. He was a liability as a pass blocker, and he shouldn’t return in 2024.
Go
A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown proved himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL with a torrid stretch during the middle of the 2023 season. His production dipped down the stretch, but there’s no reason to think he won’t return next season.
Stay
DeVonta Smith
The Eagles will have to consider signing DeVonta Smith to a contract extension during the offseason. He is a core piece of their future.
Stay
Quez Watkins
The Eagles probably could’ve used an upgrade over Quez Watkins after his disappointing performance in Super Bowl LVII. Another underwhelming effort that included a noticeably decreased role late in the season should end his Eagles career as he enters free agency.
Go
Julio Jones
Signing one of the best wide receivers in the history of the game didn’t seem like a bad idea. However, Julio Jones doesn’t have a long-term role with the Eagles.
Go
Olamide Zaccheaus
The St. Joe’s Prep storyline sounded interesting at the beginning of 2023, but national announcers pounded it into the ground throughout the season. Zaccheaus took advantage of the opportunities he got on a one-year deal, but the Eagles never gave him enough of a role to justify signing the impending free agent to another contract.
Go
Britain Covey
Although he doesn’t play a significant role on offense, Covey offers enough value on special teams to keep a roster spot. He finished first in the NFL in punt return yards and second in punt return average in 2023.
Stay
Dallas Goedert
Goedert didn’t play as big of a role in the offense this season as he might’ve hoped. However, he’ll return as a key piece of the attack in 2024.
Stay
Jack Stoll
The Eagles trust Jack Stoll as a blocker. They’ve had chances to add a better receiving tight end behind Goedert, but they haven’t made it a priority. Until they prove differently, it’s hard to see them moving on from Stoll.
Stay
Grant Calcaterra
Calcaterra didn’t make significant progress after a strong rookie season in 2022. Without obvious competition behind Goedert, he’ll most likely return in a depth role next season.
Stay
Albert Okwuegbunam
Okwuegbunam never justified a preseason trade attempting to find better depth behind Goedert. We don’t have a picture of him in an Eagles uniform, and that tells you what you need to know.
Go
Jason Kelce
It’s finally time for Jason Kelce to hang up the cleats. The Super Bowl LVII loss had a lot to do with his decision to return in 2023, but the Eagles snuck one more All-Pro season out of their future Hall of Fame center.
Go
Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson is under contract through 2026. The Eagles will likely prioritize finding his replacement at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Stay
Jordan Mailata
Mailata will return as the left tackle in 2024. He’s become a long-term building block thanks to his development at Jeff Stoutland University.
Stay
Landon Dickerson
Dickerson has exceeded expectations in three seasons with the Eagles by establishing himself as one of the best guards in the NFL. The Eagles will have to explore a contract extension for the 25-year-old.
Stay
Cam Jurgens
Jurgens transitioned to a new position in 2023. He’ll likely slide to center after Kelce’s retirement.
Stay
Sua Opeta
The Eagles kept Opeta as a backup on a one-year deal in 2024. They’re more likely to trust recent draft pick Tyler Steen as their primary backups on the interior of the offensive line moving forward. Don’t kick him out the door just yet, but he’s probably more likely to leave than to stay.
Go
Tyler Steen
Steen adjusted to a new position as a guard for his only career NFL start. The Eagles will bring him back as a depth option in development.
Stay
Jack Driscoll
If the Eagles draft an offensive tackle, they probably expect the rookie to play a role as their third tackle in 2024. Driscoll struggled against the Jets when Lane Johnson left the game with an injury, and his rookie contract has now expired. He could be a casualty of Howie Roseman’s attempt to reshape the future of the offensive line.
Go
Fred Johnson
The Eagles prioritize depth on the offensive line, and they’re confident in their ability to develop young players. A journeyman like Fred Johnson probably won’t return in 2024.
Go
