AJ Brown skipped out on speaking with the media following a disappointing game in which the Eagles lost 23-19 to the 49ers in the wild-card round. His lack of communication sparked further speculation about his future with the team.
During the game, Brown had only three catches for a mere 25 yards, and he made a critical drop in the fourth quarter on a pass that he should have easily caught. There was also a moment caught on camera that showed some tension between him and head coach Nick Sirianni.
Instead of addressing reporters, Brown headed straight to the Eagles’ locker room, expressing his intention to go home, according to EJ Smith of PHLY Sports.
This isn’t unusual for Brown, who has avoided the media before, but his silence was particularly noteworthy after his performance and the interaction with Sirianni.
There will likely be opportunities for him to speak on locker-cleaning days and perhaps share his thoughts on the season. Questions about his relationship with Sirianni and the possibility of a trade in the offseason would likely come up.
Sirianni later addressed the media and clarified what transpired between him and Brown. He said, “I almost punted and I was trying to get him off the field, but that was really it. I love AJ. I think he knows how I feel about him. We have a special relationship. We’ve been through a lot together—every emotion, really. We’ve laughed, cried, and even yelled at each other.”
While Sirianni expressed his fondness for Brown, the receiver has shown discontent with the Eagles’ offense at various points this season. He openly criticized the offensive line’s performance back in November, stating that “they’re not doing our job.”
This season, Brown recorded 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns, but those receiving yards marked the lowest he has registered in four seasons with the Eagles.
