Wide receiver A.J. Brown was a part of the team that won Super Bowl 59 with the Philadelphia Eagles. After the Eagles were eliminated from postseason contention, Brown openly vented his frustrations over the team’s inconsistencies and execution. His commentary earned him a great deal of attention, including from a former Eagles legend.
What Did Jason Kelce Say About A.J. Brown’s Harsh Criticisms of the Team?
Former Eagles center Jason Kelce said Brown should take time away from football this offseason after the wide receiver showed visible frustration late in the year. Kelce made the comments on SportsRadio 94WIP while discussing Brown’s emotional finish to the Eagles’ season and the impact it appeared to have on his play.
Kelce said Brown’s reaction to adversity has affected how he plays and how he is perceived.
“I think A.J. needs to step away,” Kelce said. “What Aaron Rodgers goes on the darkness retreat, like A.J. needs to step away. The frustration was palpable watching it. You could see it on a television screen. You could see how it affected him.”
Kelce said Brown’s production and physical ability have not slipped, but his emotional state has created issues on the field.
“Through two years and probably more than that, we’ve seen with A.J., it has a compounding effect,” Kelce said. “He lets things that he can’t really control make him play out and make uncharacteristic mistakes and uncharacteristic games. I don’t believe A.J. has lost a step. When you’re frustrated and upset, it makes you play in ways that don’t look like who A.J. Brown is.”
Jason Kelce thinks A.J. Brown needs to step away:
“I think he needs to get away from things. I think that whole team needs to kind of step away for a second and re-evaluate…and get ready to attack it when they all get back together.” pic.twitter.com/kUluSMhnyU
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) January 15, 2026
Brown’s frustration was on display during Philadelphia’s season-ending loss to the San Francisco 49ers, when he was shown arguing with head coach Nick Sirianni on the sideline and struggled with drops in the 23-19 defeat.
Brown did not speak publicly after that game or during the final month of the season, leaving his status and mindset a major offseason storyline for the Eagles.
Kelce compared Brown’s situation to his own experience during the 2016 season, when trade rumors followed him and affected his play.
“I’ve been through that,” Kelce said. “I remember 2016, there were all these trade rumors about me. I had a terrible year. Those things weigh on you, and they add up.”
Kelce said the next step should focus on Brown’s mental reset rather than football changes.
“I think he needs to get away from things,” Kelce said. “Re-evaluate and get ready to attack it when they all get back together.”
Brown, who turns 28 in June, is under contract for 2026 with $29 million guaranteed and has topped 1,000 receiving yards in all four of his seasons in Philadelphia. He remains a central part of the Eagles’ offense. He ranked 21st in PFSN’s WR Impact Metric this season.
