PHILADELPHIA — A.J. Brown didn’t run from his postgame tweet that followed Sunday’s win in Tampa Bay. He owned it, explained it, and doubled down on the heart of the matter: He wants the ball.
“Obviously, Sunday after the game, I let my frustrations boil over,” the All-Pro wide receiver said Wednesday at NovaCare Complex. “I didn’t speak to the media. I had a chance to correct my frustration and I continued to let it boil over, and that’s on me. I take full accountability on that.
“My message on Twitter wasn’t directed to anyone in the building, not my coaches, not my quarterback (Jalen Hurts), my GM (Howie Roseman), nobody. … I have open communication with all my coaches and my quarterback as well. Me and my coaches, KP (offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo) and Nick (head coach Nick Sirianni), we discuss weekly about trying to stay on the same page.
“I think it’s normal to have frustrations because of the standard that we hold ourselves to. We have a lot of talent on offense. To be honest, defense and special teams have been low-key carrying us. We need to clean up what we need to clean up and get on the same page.”
Brown reiterated he wasn’t lashing out at Hurts or Patullo. He even joked that Sirianni “FaceTimed me on Monday … that’s the relationship we have.”
But beneath the smiles and the memes, the wideout made it clear he too often feels left on the margins of the offense.
“I think it’s fair to want the ball,” Brown said. “Like the last week against the Rams — I caught the sluggo, got the offense going, next play it opened up for Dallas (Goedert). That’s not about targets or numbers, that’s about impact. We’re struggling. I’m a guy that wants the ball in those times when we can’t find a way. Give it to me.
“When the game’s on the line, give the ball to me. I want that pressure. I put it on myself. And I work hard for it.”
Brown insisted he’s “absolutely” happy in Philadelphia, saying, “This is my home, and I love it here.” But his tone underscored urgency. Inconsistency in the passing game has lingered since last season under then-OC Kellen Moore.
“It’s tough if you don’t get targets,” Brown admitted. “You don’t see the ball for half the game, two hours, it’s hard to stay engaged. But we’re professionals … I trust my coaches, I trust Jalen. We just have to be consistent.”
On paper, Brown hasn’t completely disappeared, thanks to the second half against Los Angeles. Through four games, he’s drawn 28 targets and logged 14 receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown. But his 10.8 yards per catch is well below his career norm (15.8), and this year’s usage feels ultra-conservative.
The eye test alone shows something isn’t working.
In Tampa Bay, Brown was targeted nine times but finished with just two catches for seven yards, his lowest single-game output since 2022. The disconnect between targets and production is glaring.
“You look at last year, we were running the ball — Saquon was on a historic pace — but we weren’t passing the ball too well. A now this year, we’re struggling a little bit running the ball and we’re still struggling passing the ball. Let’s get this thing fixed before we run into a serious team.”
Hurts acknowledged Brown’s emotions but tried to turn the narrative toward solutions.
“Look, A.J. is one of the best players in the league. He wants to help us win, and I want him involved,” Hurts said Wednesday. “That’s not a question. It’s about us being detailed, seeing things the same way, and me making sure I give him the best chance to make plays. We’ll get there.
“We have too much talent not to execute better. The standard here is to dominate. That’s what we’re chasing.”
Nakobe Dean back on the field
Inside linebacker Nakobe Dean returned to practice from the PUP list, the team opening up his 21-day practice window. He missed the first month recovering from January knee surgery.
“I feel like I’m able to fully go now,” Dean said. “I control what I control. I’m out there, I’m practicing, and that’s all I can do. Take one day at a time.”
Dean, 24, was the defensive signal-caller before his injury. Getting him back alongside Zack Baun would bolster a unit already performing well with first-round rookie Jihaad Campbell, starting in Dean’s absence. Campbell’s development creates a potential logjam with Dean, who is in the final year of his contract.
Campbell has impressed with his range and instincts next to Baun, who signed a three-year, $51 million deal in the spring. Dean praised the group’s cohesion even while sidelined.
“I didn’t want to miss a beat,” he said. “I literally did everything with the guys so I’d still feel like part of the team.”
When Dean is fully healthy, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his staff will have to decide whether to reinsert him immediately or ease him in. Campbell’s emergence gives the Eagles flexibility and depth.
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NOTES: Rookie Andrew Mukuba has become the full-time starter at free safety (mostly in coverage) opposite Reed Blankenship at strong-side safety, leaving Sydney Brown as a rotational and special-teams player. … Goedert (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday. Limited were DT Jalen Carter (shoulder), CB Adoree’ Jackson (groin), RT Lane Johnson (shoulder) and Dean (knee). … LT Jordan Mailata shaved his beard but claimed there was no special significance behind it. “My wife loves it,” he said.
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
Source: Berkshire mont
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