A.J. Brown’s Silence Continues To Speak Volumes

Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown held his football camp in Allentown, PA on Sunday. While many prominent Eagles reporters attended the event, it appears as though Brown opted against speaking to the media. Given his uncertain future in Philadelphia, it makes sense, although Brown’s silence continues to speak volumes.

Brown’s situation in Philadelphia has caused quite a divisive conversation in the City of Brotherly Love. There are fans that believe Brown hasn’t done anything wrong and that the media has created this trade rumor and the narrative about his unhappiness. Then there are other fans that believe Brown is upset with his role and wants out of Philadelphia.

During Brown’s tenure with the Eagles, there were certainly times where the media twisted his words and manipulated the story. In my opinion, that wasn’t the case at all last season. Brown did plenty on his own to pour fuel on the fire in Philadelphia, including his comments to the media, a controversial livestream appearance, his demeanor on the sideline and his questionable effort level on the field.

Following Brown’s in-season antics, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie reportedly had a conversation with the star wide receiver on the team’s practice field. After that meeting ahead of Week 11, Brown never spoke to the media again. It’s safe to assume that Lurie’s message to Brown was to keep his frustrations in-house and that they would address his issues privately.

Once the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs, a report emerged stating that Brown demanded a trade not once, but twice, earlier in the regular season. Now the situation was starting to become clearer as the pieces to the puzzle were revealed. Brown was frustrated about his standing in Philadelphia and was essentially trying to force his way out.

Fast forward to May and Brown’s future in Philadelphia remains uncertain, at best. Many believe that the Eagles and the New England Patriots have laid the groundwork for a trade that can become official after June 1st. Which is why both Brown and the Eagles have agreed to remain quiet about the situation. If Brown openly voices his frustrations or the Eagles admit that they’re trading him, his trade value is diminished and it makes a deal less likely.

While it’s possibly a team ordered restriction for Brown to avoid the media, it’s still frustrating to see. In a world that is already lacking accountability more and more with each passing day, we haven’t heard from Brown in essentially six months. Meanwhile, his teammates have been forced to answer questions about his situation.

Eagles star wide receiver DeVonta Smith held his annual charity softball game on Saturday. Just as he did during the final two months of the season, Smith was forced to answer questions about Brown’s situation. Yet Smith did so as a total professional, despite holding his daughter on his lap at a charity event.

Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is publicly torn down by more people than anyone else on Philadelphia’s roster, had to stand at his locker and answer questions about Brown’s situation. Hurts has enough nonsense to deal with as the leader of one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, he shouldn’t have to answer for another grown man, especially someone that was once considered a close friend.

It’s likely a tough situation for everyone involved, but it would’ve been nice to see Brown address what transpired last season in Philadelphia. I wasn’t expecting Brown to hold a full blown press conference at his football camp. But he could’ve released or read a statement that simply acknowledged that he could’ve handled last season differently and that he’s excited about the future or something to that effect.

Yet instead, Brown addressed the fans at his football camp with this quote, according to Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer:

"I love you all. I don't care what you hear out there. I love you all. You understand?"

Once again, Brown isn’t taking accountability for his own actions. The second line appears to pass the blame to someone else as outside noise, instead of admitting his own mistakes. While some fans may appreciate Brown’s most recent message, actions speak louder than words…and Brown’s actions (or lack thereof) over the last six months speak volumes.