Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has acknowledged in a GQ interview that his once-close friendship with wide receiver A.J. Brown had deteriorated before Brown was traded to the New England Patriots. Asked directly whether the pair had drifted apart, Hurts replied "I mean, clearly," effectively confirming earlier comments Brown had made about a growing distance between them. The exchange matters because Hurts and Brown were previously considered one of the NFL's closest quarterback-receiver duos, and the breakdown coincided with an inconsistent 2025 season and Brown's eventual departure from Philadelphia.

Brown, who holds the two highest single-season receiving yardage totals in Eagles history, asked the front office for a trade after Philadelphia's wild-card exit to the San Francisco 49ers in January, with reports suggesting frustration over his usage against zone coverage. He and Hurts had a long history dating back to a recruiting visit to Alabama, and Hurts is godfather to Brown's daughter. Both players have downplayed any single cause for the rift, insisting there is no ill will, and were seen speaking during joint Patriots-Eagles practices; the Eagles begin their season on 13 September against Washington, while the Patriots open away to the Seattle Seahawks.