A.J. Brown’s first joint practice against his former Philadelphia Eagles teammates gave the internet exactly what it was waiting for.
During Wednesday’s session in Foxborough, Drake Maye targeted Brown with Quinyon Mitchell in tight coverage. Brown could not finish the catch, and Eagles fans immediately turned one August rep into a referendum on the receiver’s exit from Philadelphia.
Eagles Fans Roast A.J. Brown After Failed Rep Against Quinyon Mitchell
The loudest reaction went straight back to Brown’s well-documented frustration with Jalen Hurts during his final season in Philadelphia.
“Did he blame Jalen Hurts for that drop?” All About The Birds wrote on X.
Did he blame Jalen Hurts for that drop? https://t.co/d8eO7VyYdj
— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) August 19, 2026
One fan credited Mitchell rather than simply blaming Brown. He wrote, “0 separation & Quinyon got his hand in his chest to knock it out.
0 seperation & Quinyon got his hand in his chest to knock it out 🥹 https://t.co/iUACmBMiOt
— garrett (@jalenreagors) August 19, 2026
Brown’s effort on the route even became part of the joke.
“He ain’t run this hard in 2 years,” a fan wrote.
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The change of uniform did not save him from Philadelphia’s sense of humor either.
“Moved across state lines and still can’t catch,” another response read.
moved across state lines and still can’t catch pic.twitter.com/WdFCkUztlj
— phil0n (@cooperdeJUICE) August 19, 2026
One fan gave Maye and Mitchell credit while still putting the finish on Brown.
“Great coverage and a dime from Maye and AJ dropped it lmfaoo,” TheYokester35 wrote on X.
Great coverage and a dime from Maye and AJ dropped it lmfaoo
— TheYokester35 (@yokester35) August 19, 2026
Another fan added, “Dropped it in the bucket, and A.J. dropped it lol. Seen that movie before.”
The criticism for Brown continued as one fan added, “He (Maye) dropped it into the basket. AJ looked like he was being fancy, trying to do a one-hander.”
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Brown’s Eagles History Adds Fuel to Reactions
The jokes carry extra baggage because Brown’s Philadelphia exit was hardly quiet. The Eagles traded him to the New England Patriots on June 1 after four seasons, two Super Bowl appearances, and one championship together.
An ESPN report said part of Brown’s frustration involved Hurts’ perceived reluctance to target him on tight-window throws against zone coverage.
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Brown later said he and Hurts were not as close as they once were, while stressing there was no bad blood. Questions surrounding his exit from the Eagles made the first Brown vs. Philadelphia practice irresistible to watch online.
It should not erase what Brown still is as a player. He caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2025. PFN’s WR Impact Metric gave him a 79.9 impact score, ranking him No. 12 among qualifying receivers.
New England acquired Brown to become one of Maye’s central targets, and PFN’s current depth chart lists him as the Patriots’ WR1.
One contested incompletion in August will not decide whether the trade worked.
For Eagles fans enjoying their first chance to heckle Brown in Patriots colors, though, the scoreboard apparently opened early.
