The defending NFC champion Eagles have started the season off 2–0 as they begin their quest to return to a second consecutive Super Bowl.
Despite the hot start, star wide receiver A.J. Brown voiced his frustration on the sideline during Philadelphia’s 34–28 win over the Vikings on Thursday night. While running back D’Andre Swift and fellow wideout DeVonta Smith enjoyed huge performances Brown did not make a major statistical impact in the victory, with just four receptions for 29 yards.
During the fourth quarter, those frustrations boiled over into a heated sideline exchange between quarterback Jalen Hurts and Brown, which eventually led to coach Nick Sirianni separating his two star players.
During post-game interviews, Hurts implied that the exchange with Brown centered around the two time Pro Bowl wideout wanting to be involved more in the offense.
“I think everybody wants to make plays and everybody wants to contribute. I have no worry about him, he’s a great player, a great teammate, a great friend, and we’ll do anything and everything to win,” said Hurts.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles star quarterback was eager to downplay the blow-up, and doesn’t see it becoming a distraction moving forward.
“We won, I don’t want to make it bigger than what it is,” added Hurts. “We’re talking about external factors here, those things don’t matter. What’s said out there, that can potentially divide this group, doesn’t matter. We won.”
Following the sideline outburst, Brown was on the receiving end of a 25-yard touchdown, but the score was nullified due to a holding call on Rashaad Penny.
NFL fans can likely expect Brown, who is among the best wide receivers in the NFL, to be heavily targeted next week when the Eagles travel to Tampa to take on Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
