New England Patriots receiver A.J. Brown and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts did not speak during a joint practice on Wednesday [1].
The lack of interaction highlights the lingering tension following one of the league's most significant offseason moves. The two players previously shared a highly productive chemistry in Philadelphia before Brown's departure.
The practice took place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, at the Patriots' facilities [2]. Despite the proximity of the two former teammates, Brown said that no conversation took place between him and Hurts during the session.
Brown said he has not spoken to Hurts since he was traded to the Patriots in June [3]. The wide receiver said that the silence is a deliberate choice to maintain focus on his current role with New England.
"I haven't spoken to Jalen Hurts since the trade," Brown said [4].
While Brown noted that there is still love between himself and the Eagles organization, he said that he is trying to avoid talking about the past [4]. This approach has kept the two athletes apart for more than two months.
Brown's transition to the Patriots follows a season that included a performance in Super Bowl 59 where he recorded three receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown [5]. The move in June [3] shifted the dynamic of both offenses heading into the current preseason.
Observers at the Foxborough practice noted the absence of the usual camaraderie often seen when former star teammates reunite. Brown's commitment to avoiding past discussions suggests a clean break from his previous tenure in Philadelphia [4].
“"I haven't spoken to Jalen Hurts since the trade."”
The continued silence between Brown and Hurts suggests a professional detachment following the June trade. In the NFL, joint practices often serve as a venue for public reconciliation or displays of friendship between former teammates; the avoidance of contact here indicates that Brown is prioritizing a mental shift toward the Patriots' culture over maintaining his previous connection with the Eagles' leadership.
