Brown says frustration vs. Cards wasn't about coaches, play-calling
After looking visibly upset late during the Philadelphia Eagles' upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week, star wide receiver A.J. Brown spoke to the media for the first time in nearly two weeks to set the record straight.
"You saw my frustration on the field - it wasn't about the play-call, it wasn't about none of that, it was about my guy (DeVonta Smith) getting banged up," Brown told reporters, including 94 WIP's Eliot Shorr-Parks.
Brown declined to talk to the media following Sunday's game for the second consecutive week. His silence has come amid the Eagles losing four of their past five games, fueling speculation about his frustration with the team. Brown also clarified his decision not to speak following last week's game.
"Honestly ... I didn't want to be negative," he said. "I had already transitioned to the mindset where we were going through a tough time."
Brown added: "I was raised that if I had nothing nice to say, I'm not going to say nothing at all."
Although Philadelphia's leading receiver felt he'd be portrayed as a "monster" if he had said anything during the team's recent struggles, he said he apologized to his teammates for having to speak on his behalf. In addition, the 26-year-old indicated he's not upset with the coaching.
"The coaches played zero snaps this year," he said. "It's not the coaches, it is us (the players)."
Brown hasn't found the end zone during the Eagles' slump over the past five outings, which has put them in a wild-card position. However, the wideout believes the team's struggles are part of the club's natural progression.
"That's what happens when you try to get to the next step," Brown said. "Gravity pulls against you, everything pulls against you, and I think that's what this team is going through right now."
Brown has recorded 105 receptions for 1,447 yards to go along with seven touchdowns. He's only 50 yards shy of surpassing the franchise's single-season receiving yards record he set in 2022. Brown is also 11 catches behind Zach Ertz for the most receptions in a season by an Eagles pass-catcher.
Philadelphia will need a win Sunday against the New York Giants and a loss by the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East division.