Trading AJ

[musicman]

I have Hurts and AJ in fantasy, talk about being pissed

[Eagle60]

I have Hurts and AJ in fantasy, talk about being pissed

[FairOaks]

They play in a dome next week, so no wind issues. I think that has greatly affected both offenses the last two games.

[Eagle60]

He continues to yap and seemingly wants attention. Not a terrible thing for this season. In many ways he is right. But not good for the team in what is the ultimate team game. I can’t see AJ still here next season. I just can’t.

just hoping they catch fire at the end like last year and AJ is a big part of it. Then he can go get his stats elsewhere.

he really needs to keep it in house and stfu publicly.

Well, I hate to admit it but go back and watch the game again. AJ actually did quit on the very catchable long pass that he so desperately wanted for some reason that he and God only know. I have defended and defended him but now I realize I was wrong . Who the hell knows what goes on in that scrambled mind of his? The ball was right there for him to haul in so that he could be the hero that he so desperately wants to be and he Quit on the route! In a huge game like that in front of all of America for him to shine he decides to check out??! . Dawk, you were right, he's gone at the end of this season.

[dawkins20]

He’s not having a good season. I believe he is like 130th in separation for wide receivers in the league. He’s never been that low. Some of it could be how teams are defending us. Some could be his hammy issue. Some could be him not being happy with the game plans. Quitting on a route like he did vs Detroit is not the first time this year. I dunno. He does block and is still a stud who can make plays. Something is off. Either he is regressing. Or he is just one of those athletes that lets his mind ruin everything. It’s all a bad combination when the play isn’t as good. The public whining two years in a row. Maybe it’s just all to force the Eagles hand and move him.

he will be gone. It needs to happen for him and the Eagles. It’s too much of a team game to keep putting up with it.

I want his game play to improve for the sake of this years Eagles. As well as trade value in the off season. It may not be as high as offers were this year.

[Eagle60]

Here's the rub too. It's 4th and 12 on the other teams 30-yard line, who are you still looking for? I'm looking for the 6-foot 4 - 235 lb. guy with hands like steel. Weird.

[ThoughtProcess]

I really don't know exactly what to think of all of this. On the one hand, I can see where he would want a greater hand in the success of the offense and the team as a whole. Considering that Thanksgiving is approaching, let's go with this metaphor: All of the dinner guests rave about how delicious every part of the meal tasted, but AJ, having prepared the cranberry-orange relish, feels like he really didn't contribute to its deliciousness. He wants to be in on baking the ham or frying the turkey, which he may view as a more substantial contribution. I can understand that. And there is merit to some of his contentions regarding the schematic questions regarding the offense...

....But on the other hand, It is a bad look on his part for him to appear to brood and sulk in the midst of relative success. I think he would be better served keeping it in-house.

His intense desire to be seen as a successful and key contributor (which he already is) may be perceived as being disgruntled by some observers. Cryptic responses to open-ended questions allows for others to add/subtract words from his mouth and assign motive where there may not be any outside of winning. They will keep shaking the Magic 8-Ball that is AJ until some response is revealed that they can fill the time with between gamedays.

I do believe that he is still nursing his hamstring injury and is not quite 100%.

And while a trade is likely off the table for 2026, I wouldn't be surprised if one wasn't considered in 2027. I would be very surprised if it came to pass in this offseason. If there is some degree of friction between AJ and Hurts, the team will likely move AJ, if they are inclined to move anyone at all. And everyone can see in real time whenever he pulls up on a route or gives les-than-optimal effort on a contested ball. Fans and media notice when he doesn't fight for a ball or slows down on a route. Those actions speak louder, IMO.

[andrewaters]

Thought... this is NOT a T.O. situation. I think that was about money. He was told by the front office that after he did everything he could to play in that super bowl on a broken leg they'd pay him. They didn't and I think McNabb might have not taken up for him like T.O. thought he might.

This situation is not about money. This is about legacy and the Hall of Fame in my opinion. A.J. thinks he should be getting the ball more to boost his stats and to show the league he is as good as he believes he is. And he also thinks giving him the ball more will improve our offense. He is not wrong about the second part.

But you can't force the ball to him.

Some speculate this is personal. Like somehow Jalen and A.J.'s friendship broke up over something else. A woman, money, something like that. Neither one of these guys seem to be wired that way and they both have had long term relationships with women. And there has never been a bump of any sort in that road. They both have money. Did they have some secret business deal that fell apart or something... maybe. But they both are rich now making tens of millions of dollars a year.

I think this is about legacy.

And let's face it. Jalen is an odd duck. He is aloof. He is either so driven by winning or so driven by his personal brand that he doesn't allow anything to get in the way of that.

I did hear some talk that in Houston Jalen was well known to be a problem and his father and family put that on steroids but at the same time after being benched at Bama HE STAYED at that school. And when it was time he stepped up. And DeVonte loves the guy. A lot of his teammates love him.

I do think they will trade AJ this year. That is going to create a huge cap hit.

I also think Howie might draft a QB this year higher than we think he might and they might try and do the Carson to Jalen thing again with a Jalen to another young QB kind of move. Because Howie can see with his own two eyes that we have loads of talent and maybe another QB can manage this just as well as Jalen. And he doesn't want to pay Jalen $50 million bucks in 2027.

[ThoughtProcess]

Thanks for the thoughtful response, aw. Great points as always. I didn't consider that AJ wants to strengthen his legacy at all. I do agree with AJ that he should be used more in the offense, and that the coaches should do more to scheme him (and everyone else) open more. And I agree also that they shouldn't force-feed AJ the ball just to be doing it.

As for Hurts, I can understand how his stoic nature can be seen as aloofness or even quiet arrogance. Not getting too high or too low may also look like indifference to some people. I sometimes look at the sideline shots during games to see who is sitting and talking to him as the game ebbs and flows. I can't say that I noticed anything. I am sure he rubs some the wrong way, however.

I can definitely see a QB considered in this draft class, as some talented but flawed prospects are sure to fall into bargain range in the middle rounds. But while there is precedent for the Eagles and Howie to eat a massive cap hit, I'm not sure they'll do it ahead of trying to re-sign guys like Phillips, Carter, Davis or Ojomo to extensions. But we ARE talking Howie, so anything is possible. Even an AJ Brown trade.

[Eagle60]

I really don't know exactly what to think of all of this. On the one hand, I can see where he would want a greater hand in the success of the offense and the team as a whole. Considering that Thanksgiving is approaching, let's go with this metaphor: All of the dinner guests rave about how delicious every part of the meal tasted, but AJ, having prepared the cranberry-orange relish, feels like he really didn't contribute to its deliciousness. He wants to be in on baking the ham or frying the turkey, which he may view as a more substantial contribution. I can understand that. And there is merit to some of his contentions regarding the schematic questions regarding the offense...

....But on the other hand, It is a bad look on his part for him to appear to brood and sulk in the midst of relative success. I think he would be better served keeping it in-house.

His intense desire to be seen as a successful and key contributor (which he already is) may be perceived as being disgruntled by some observers. Cryptic responses to open-ended questions allows for others to add/subtract words from his mouth and assign motive where there may not be any outside of winning. They will keep shaking the Magic 8-Ball that is AJ until some response is revealed that they can fill the time with between gamedays.

I do believe that he is still nursing his hamstring injury and is not quite 100%.

And while a trade is likely off the table for 2026, I wouldn't be surprised if one wasn't considered in 2027. I would be very surprised if it came to pass in this offseason. If there is some degree of friction between AJ and Hurts, the team will likely move AJ, if they are inclined to move anyone at all. And everyone can see in real time whenever he pulls up on a route or gives les-than-optimal effort on a contested ball. Fans and media notice when he doesn't fight for a ball or slows down on a route. Those actions speak louder, IMO.

You nailed it!

[NoDakIggle]

I have also thought I wouldn’t be surprised to see Howie looking at QBs in the draft. Hurts has some beautiful throws but misses a lot also. However we have McKee who I guess also has been here awhile and could be trade bait. And I also note that Hurts sits alone ALL THE TIME. I assume that’s what he wants that is why no one talks to him. It could be though that no one is comfortable around him or cares for him.
Having said all that I have come to think trading AJ is the way they will go. Hurts and Devonta have a thing and Devonta is productive. They can get another WR although someone of Brown’s caliber will be hard to come by.

[musicman]

McKee is going to get the chance. I’m sure they have an escape plan in place. Howie will get a haul for him and thus sustain the upward trend and we get some years with a cheap QB.

[Eagle60]

McKee is going to get the chance. I’m sure they have an escape plan in place. Howie will get a haul for him and thus sustain the upward trend and we get some years with a cheap QB.

Are you thinking about trading Jalen? I don't see that happening. He's gone up against Mahomes and beat him twice already in a Super Bowl and also this September. I don't think the Patriots are going to win the thing with a young quarterback. There's a lot to say about experienced QB leading your team in huge games.

[musicman]

I’m not saying it will happen, but at some point I could see it happening

[andrewaters]

I think the Eagles believe they always need a young QB in waiting. And I think they have so much talent they don’t want to lose that after next year if Jalen continues to look like a game manager and NOT an elite QB they might move on.

now if Jalen raises his game again this year and they get to another one and win it I think they extend him this offseason and kick more of the money down the road again.

but let’s remember in the last 8 years this team has gone to 3 super bowls and won two and they were an alshon drop away from a really good chance to get to a 4th.

and they did this with 3 different QBs only one of which was billed as elite in Carson Wentz and he is the woest of the bunch. So I don’t think the Eagles fear trading or releasing a QB.

they let the only QB who had won a Super Bowl here… a guy with a statue outside the stadium… they let him just walk.

so if Jalen looks good at times and average at other times I don’t think they are going to pay him again. They are seeing what can happen if you do that… Kyler Murray, Brock Purdy, and an aging Aaron Rodgers as prime examples.

i hope Jalen plays his way into another big payday because that probably means we win at least another Super Bowl.

but we have so much young talent that Howie is not going g to want to see walk. I believe he thinks we can win with elite DL/OL talent, a dominant running game, and a QB who manages it all.

he thinks they can find another Jalen I’d bet and why not.

and Howie is bulletproof. If they move on there will be some outrage no doubt but there will also be some trust in Howie.