The dangerous duo of AJ Brown-Jalen Hurts almost didn’t happen.
While the Philadelphia Eagles pushed hard to make a draft-day trade and landed the Pro-Bowl receiver, Brown revealed during an interview with Raw Room this week that the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets also tried to swing a trade for him.
Ultimately, it was Philadelphia — with an assist from Hurts — who acquired Brown. The Tennessee Titans received the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 draft (Treylon Burks) and a third-round pick (No. 101 overall) in exchange for Brown, who later signed a four-year, $100 million contract with Philadelphia. Brown received $57 million guaranteed in the deal.
By the time the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft rolled around, Tennessee had yet to meet his contractual demands. Brown said that he was “[expletive] off” by the whole ordeal. Said Brown, “I gave everything I had, played hurt, everything. That’s when like all my feelings got involved with all this [expletive].”
RR #141 “Sour Apple ft/AJ Brown” pt 1.
– The Super Bowl loss
– AJ opens up about being traded
– The Holding call
– Coach Nick crying 🥲
– The field conditions 👀
– AND MORE!! #eagles #nfl🔊: https://t.co/iUdGefmoQE pic.twitter.com/w4LKdnNaPJ
— Raw Room (@Raw__Room) February 21, 2023
After the Eagles selected Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis with their first pick, Brown’s agent asked him what he wanted to do. Brown said he wanted to stay in Tennessee, but his agent suggested that was no longer a viable option as the Titans refused to budge off what they deemed to be a fair offer.
The trigger was pulled on the deal and Brown wound up having a career year with the Eagles, as he hauled in 88 catches for 1.496 yards and 11 touchdowns. It almost didn’t happen, though, as he could’ve been catching passes from Patrick Mahomes or Zach Wilson, for that matter.
Everything seemingly worked out for Brown, who was named a second-team All-Pro in 2022.
[Raw Room]
