Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory, tight end Dallas Goedert has publicly addressed months of speculation about the relationship between quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver AJ Brown. In an interview with EssentiallySports, Goedert stated that Hurts and Brown have “a great relationship” and attributed rumors of tension to the Philadelphia media, which he claimed “likes to stir stuff up.”
The speculation originated after the Eagles’ December 2024 win over the Carolina Panthers. During a postgame interview, Brown was asked what the offense needed to improve. His answer was a single word: “passes.” Although some interpreted the response as harmless, it became a flashpoint among fans and media. From that moment, scrutiny increased around every interaction between Hurts and Brown, with some interpreting these moments as signs of a deeper conflict.
Brown later clarified that his statement was not intended as criticism of Hurts. However, narratives had already formed and gained traction. In 2023, rumors about a potential rift had circulated as well, and in 2024, the issue resurfaced when former Eagles pass rusher Brandon Graham suggested that Hurts and Brown were no longer on strong terms.
Goedert pushed back on those claims in his conversation with EssentiallySports. He said, “They’re both passionate. They’re both very meticulous at what they do,” and reiterated, “I think they got a great relationship.”
AJ Brown joined the Eagles in 2022 via a draft-day trade after spending three seasons with the Tennessee Titans. During his final year in Tennessee, Brown caught 63 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. In each of his first two seasons, Brown surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and recorded a combined 19 touchdowns.
Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Brown reestablished his production immediately. In the 2022 season, his first with Hurts as starting quarterback, Brown posted a career-high 1,496 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The Eagles reached Super Bowl LVII that season, where they were narrowly defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Over the next two seasons, Hurts and Brown remained productive, although their statistical output declined from their 2022 peak. During the 2024 season, Brown appeared in 13 games, finishing with 67 receptions for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns. It was his lowest production since joining the Eagles.
Despite any drop in numbers, the team’s performance with Hurts and Brown on the field remained strong. According to Athlon Sports, the Eagles did not lose a single game in 2024 when both Hurts and Brown started and finished. That record included a win in Super Bowl LIX, where Brown caught three passes for 43 yards and one touchdown. Hurts threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns in that game.
Goedert emphasized that Brown’s personality as a receiver is part of his competitive nature. In the same EssentiallySports interview, Goedert said, “As a wide receiver, I want him to be a little bit of a diva. I want him to want the ball. I want him to believe that he’s the best and can never be guarded.” He added that when things are going well, there is no issue with that attitude, but during struggles, it can be misinterpreted. Goedert stated that Hurts makes efforts to keep teammates happy and that both players handled their challenges well.
The Eagles’ 2024 offensive approach also featured running back Saquon Barkley in a prominent role. Some attributed the perceived reduction in passing output to Barkley’s increased workload. Addressing the issue, Barkley said, “To be honest, you guys in the media are the ones kind of creating that narrative. Our focus is winning football games.” He also stated that he had “100% confidence” in the team.
Since Brown joined the team, the Eagles have made two Super Bowl appearances and won one championship. Brown has earned All-Pro recognition during that time. Hurts has been selected for the Pro Bowl and was named Super Bowl MVP. Both have maintained strong individual performances during their time together in Philadelphia.
The Eagles will begin their 2025 season on September 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. As the defending champions prepare for a new campaign, public remarks from Goedert aim to dispel doubts about the relationship between Hurts and Brown, stating plainly that, as of now, “they’ve got a great relationship.”
