The Philadelphia Eagles have been winning games. But off the field, things haven’t been so smooth. There are rumors about a rift between Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown everywhere. Fans and media picked up on every little thing. But now, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has stepped in. And he gave some straight talk about what’s really going on.

During a recent press session, a reporter inquired about Sirianni’s approach to players’ social media presence. The head coach dug into it to make it sound as normal as possible. He said social media is “just a different form of communication.” He’s treating online comments like any other conversation in the locker room. 

“It’s no different than what you talk about when you talk to the media or talk to whatever. It’s the same thing…Your words, whatever you put out there, is going to get out there just like you would with your words in this setting. So we treat it as that,” Sirianni said. This comes after Brown made a cryptic post online that has fueled chatter about it being directed toward quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Sirianni was also asked about how Hurts and Brown interact off the field. The head coach answered it diplomatically, “just always trying to get on the same page. Always trying to do what they need to do to go out there and perform.” 

He explained that whether it’s in a meeting room or on the practice field, the duo is always trying to win. “I just see two guys that great pros that care deeply about winning…They work very hard at that together to put the best product out on the field that we can,” Sirianni added.

Nick Sirianni dismissed the typical locker-room noise you expect at this level. Instead, he painted a picture of Hurts and Brown as teammates locked in on one goal: winning. However, here’s how the recent events have brought their relationship back into the spotlight.

AJ Brown clarifies the social media post, as Nick Sirianni downplays the tension

Just a few days ago, Brown took to social media and dropped a post that sent shockwaves through Philly. It read, “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.” That’s the kind of cryptic message that sparked rumors about trade requests and locker-room tension.

But Brown clarified it on Wednesday. He told the reporters, “Obviously, Sunday after the game, I let my frustrations boil over. I didn’t speak to the media. … My message truly wasn’t directed at anyone in the building. Not my coaches, not my quarterback, general manager, nobody. I take full accountability.”

Translation: The post wasn’t aimed at Hurts or the Eagles’ coaches. Brown stressed love for the team and that his frustrations came from a place of wanting more on the field. And even Hurts gave a very subtle answer to Brown’s post. But the problem is, this tension isn’t new. It has been brewing since late in the 2023 season.

Earlier drama from last year saw Eagles’ former defensive end Brandon Graham fuel rumors by suggesting a fissure between Hurts and Brown. “Things have changed,” Graham said. But Brown called their relationship “good,” with Hurts saying, “BG knows he spoke out of place.”

Moreover, Hurts is even godfather to Brown’s daughter. Still, the ongoing tension is hard to miss. Brown has explained that his problem lies with the Eagles’ passing game, which hasn’t improved despite his 2024 comments stressing, “We have to pass the ball. That can go into protection, picking up the block, us getting open quicker. Getting on the same page.”

That said, AJ Brown clarified his post wasn’t about teammates but frustration with the passing game. And Nick Sirianni says the two stay focused on winning. Despite rumors, they’re working to get on the same page and deliver for the Eagles.