It would be hyperbolic to consider the Philadelphia Eagles an organization in collapse, but after 2025’s loud playoff disappointment, the ingredients for a meltdown are present.
If things go sideways for the Eagles, wide receiver A.J. Brown could become the face of their decline. Former Philadelphia stalwart Jason Kelce took exception to the superstar’s recent antics.
Jason Kelce Rips Philadelphia Eagles Star A.J. Brown
Somebody had to take the fall for the offense’s shortcomings in 2025. Rather than head coach Nick Sirianni, quarterback Jalen Hurts, or a surrounding cast that failed to match the potency of last year’s Super Bowl run, offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo bore the brunt of the season’s frustrations.
Yet, the pressure hasn’t been fully released. As long-term concerns about Hurts emerge, trade rumors regarding Brown have followed Philadelphia into the offseason.
In an interview with 94WIP, Kelce spoke about Brown and how his effort became a point of contention.
“How hard is it to play with a player that’s not giving full effort? It’s incredibly frustrating,” Kelce said. “Any player that’s out there when you’re seeing a teammate not go all out, that’s all you want from your teammates, and that’s all we want as fans. It’s a really hard thing to optically watch, it’s frustrating to watch.”
Jason Kelce on a perceived lack of effort from A.J. Brown this season:
“He’s just unfortunately a player who allows his internal frustrations to manifest into his play, and it makes him play worse and makes the offense worse.” pic.twitter.com/tsQxzKH1np
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 12, 2026
Brown’s season was a rollercoaster, and his production didn’t necessarily correlate with the team’s success. The team lost three of his five 100-yard games and went 6-1 when he fell below 50 yards.
DRAFT SEASON: PFSN’s FREE Mock Draft Simulator
Ultimately, Brown ended the season as the 21st-ranked receiver by PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric, notably trailing teammate DeVonta Smith (17th).
Brown was publicly upset with his inconsistent target share, and when Hurts’ inconsistencies led to missed connections, the reactions caught the eyes of fans and former teammates.
“He’s just unfortunately a player who allows his internal frustrations to manifest into his play, and it makes him play worse and makes the offense worse, and it makes his energy worse,” Kelce added. “Some guys can block that out; they go out there and just play football. He is clearly not one of those guys.”
Brown finished his season with 121 targets, 78 catches, 1,003 yards, and 7 touchdowns. For the first time in four seasons, Brown didn’t make an All-Pro team. More concerning than a (marginal) decline is the patience wearing thin.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s FREE Ultimate GM Simulator
As the Eagles face significant turnover on the coaching staff, there will be an opportunity to make changes to personnel who might be running out of time in Philadelphia. Having rubbed many, including franchise icons, the wrong way, it’s possible Brown is a casualty of an important offseason.
