Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley address A.J. Brown rumors at Eagles OTAs

Another day, another chapter in the A.J. Brown saga.

The Philadelphia Eagles star receiver was absent from organized team activities (OTAs) on May 27, which wasn't a shock given the continued trade rumors around the Pro Bowl player. However, some of the Eagles players in attendance were asked about Brown's absence as it hangs over the team.

Jalen Hurts was among those who took questions and took a sip of a drink when asked about the impact a Brown trade would have on the offense.

Picked the right question to sip on, huh?" the quarterback joked.

Hurts ultimately downplayed the significance, putting the focus back on the team as they transition to a new offense under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.

I think for us, we are focused on learning the offense," Hurts said. "It really doesn't change in terms of our approach to improve. There's an if' obviously, it's been a lingering thing. But nothing can replace all the greatness that we achieved together."

Rumors of Brown's unhappiness in Philadelphia have been swirling for some time and have only intensified as the Eagles' offense struggled in 2025. Despite that, Hurts indicated that his relationship with the receiver remains unchanged.

Nothing's changed since we last spoke at the end of the season," Hurts said. We're really good, and I saw how beautiful the pictures came out at his wedding. I'm very happy for him, and his wife and his family, and it's a beautiful thing to step into covenant. So I was very excited and congratulatory towards that."

Saquon Barkley echoed those thoughts when he met with the media, where he was asked how the team has handled the issue this offseason

"I don't think we really addressed it," Barkley said. "It's football. It's the National Football League. It's gonna be a hard time for me to say anything bad about A.J. Brown. I'm a big fan of A.J. Brown. One of my really good friends. One of my favorite teammates I've ever been around.

"Just respect him as a man, but this is a business. It's the NFL. If I'm not here, if Jalen's not here, if whoever is not here, the show goes on. And that's how the NFL operates. So, you don't really address it. It's not really anything to be addressed. You just about your work and keep getting better. And whatever happens, that's above my pay grade."

The expectation remains that Brown will be traded on or after June 1, with all the rumors pointing to a trade with the New England Patriots.

Of course, nothing is final until the ink dries and anything can happen until that point. For now, everyone appears to be resigned to that seemingly inevitable conclusion as June inches closer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Hurts downplays A.J. Brown trade rumors at Eagles OTAs