FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots receiver A.J. Brown said he has not spoken to quarterback Jalen Hurts since he was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles in early June, though he struck a positive note overall about his former team following Wednesday's joint practice.
"Honestly guys, none of that stuff even matters, man. You all should want to report something positive. You know asking the question is going to turn negative," Brown said when reporters asked follow-up questions about he and Hurts. "So let's not get into that. Let's keep everything positive. It's love my way."
Brown added that he may catch up with Hurts over the course of the two-day joint practices in Foxborough.
Brown had a high degree of success during his time in Philadelphia, posting the two highest single-season receiving yard totals in franchise history: 1,496 yards in 2022 and 1,456 in 2023, while helping the Eagles to a Super Bowl title in the 2024 season. But he expressed his desire for a change of scenery to the Eagles' front office following a frustration-filled 2025 season, general manager Howie Roseman conveyed at the time. According to sources, Hurts was a part of the receiver's frustrations, based in part on Brown not being targeted as much as he felt he should have been against zone coverage.
He let his unhappiness with his role in the offense be known on social media and in interviews during a season in which he posted 1,003 receiving yards -- his lowest totals in four seasons with the Eagles.
Brown was all business as he ran out of the practice facility and onto the visitors field where the Eagles were warming up. He did not stop for pleasantries as he jogged past his former teammates and onto the upper field where the Patriots were warming up, though he did catch up with his former teammates both during downtime at practice as well as after the session, a group that included running back Saquon Barkley and defensive back Cooper DeJean.
As for actual on-field work, Brown was all business in his first action against his former team, hauling in all six targets during 7-on-7 and team drills, including one from Drake Maye deep down the right sideline with Riq Woolen tight in coverage, a welcome sign of his growing connection with the Patriots third-year quarterback. The only pass Brown didn't catch was during one-on-ones in a good battle with Quinyon Mitchell.
"There's definitely been some challenges but he's very special and he makes my job a lot easier. Just learning how he sees the game and getting on the same page," Brown said of his rapport with Maye.
Brown also said that Wednesday's practice did not bring him any sense of closure with his former club.
"It's love. I won a Super Bowl ring with them. It will always be love no matter how anyone feels. I love Philly and I will always love Philly but I'm here now," said Brown. "That's where my feet are and that's what I'm focused on."
Still, Brown was pressed on why, despite all that personal and team success with the Eagles, he decided he wanted a change of scenery.
"I'm here now," he responded. "I'm not going backwards."