The Philadelphia Eagles got their 2025 season off to the perfect start in Week 1, defeating their bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, 24-20 on opening night. Quarterback Jalen Hurts stole the show with two rushing touchdowns, but one stat line puzzled fans and analysts alike.
Star wide receiver A.J. Brown received only one target during the entire game, fewer than four of his teammates, including Jahan Dotson (three targets). Reacting to Brown’s meager usage, one Super Bowl-winning great has predicted the receiver will be on another team before too long.
A.J. Brown to Leave the Eagles Soon, Predicts Super Bowl Champion
Not only did Brown receive only one target against Dallas, but that target, which he caught, came with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Eagles were trying to run out the clock and had already forced Dallas to take their first timeout.
After the Eagles lost a yard on first down, Hurts looked left to find his supposed primary receiver for a short, eight-yard gain. Brown was on the field for 55 offensive snaps on the night, while Dotson was targeted three times despite playing only 29 snaps.
There has been plenty of speculation regarding Brown’s happiness during his time with the Eagles, with the receiver believed to have a difficult relationship with his quarterback. During a recent appearance on “Speakeasy,” Green Bay Packers legend James Jones declared that the star receiver would leave the team in the near future.
“As a receiver, you’re not a running back… your football game does not start until you get hit, until you get a catch, and get hit, and get tackled. If you don’t get a catch until the fourth quarter, with five minutes or something left in the game, his [Brown’s] game has never even started.”
“You will not see AJ Brown in an Eagles uniform too much longer” – James Jones 🤯
TAP IN WITH US RIGHT NOW! LIVE IN THE SPEAKEASY ➡️https://t.co/UmNs9aD6cE pic.twitter.com/LdzpgWMxx8
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) September 12, 2025
“He’s not even been involved in the game. He ain’t even been tackled or hit; he’s not even ready to play a football game yet. Let me tell ya’ll something, you will not see A.J. Brown in an Eagles uniform for too much longer.”
Brown Reacts to Quiet Week 1, ‘Just Kinda How the Game Went’
Brown has expressed frustration with the narratives surrounding his character in recent seasons. His inconsistent usage in Philadelphia has often led to rumors of unrest, but the player hit back at those in his speech to fans at the team’s Super Bowl parade in February.
“They said I was a diva; they said all I cared about was stats. You can get all of those things wrong about me, but there’s one thing you can get right. I’m a f***ing champion!”
Following the Week 1 win over Dallas, Brown appeared unbothered by his minimal involvement. Speaking to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, he claimed that Dallas’ defensive scheme impacted his involvement.
Eagles WR A.J. Brown on getting just one target in Week 1:
“I got zoned the entire game, I didn’t get one single man rep. Obviously, there won’t be any separation. And I’m not hurt and I wasn’t a decoy. Just kind of how the game went.” pic.twitter.com/AaReixmSF5
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) September 11, 2025
“I got zoned the entire game, I didn’t get, not one single man rep… I’m not hurt, and I wasn’t a decoy; it’s just kinda how the game went.”
It remains to be seen if things will improve for the former Tennessee Titans star, but rarely have the Eagles been without some form of controversy in recent years. These things typically sort themselves out, and the Eagles continue to be the team to beat in the NFC.
