Jason Kelce Admits Watching AJ Brown Was ‘Frustrating’ Last Season

AJ Brown finished his 2025 season barely crossing the 1000 receiving yards mark and dropped two crucial catches during the wild card defeat to the 49ers.

Jason Kelce Admits Watching AJ Brown Was ‘Frustrating’ Last Season

#11 AJ Brown and Jason Kelce inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • AJ Brown's future with the Philadelphia Eagles is uncertain amid trade rumors and declining performance.
  • Jason Kelce criticized Brown for not giving full effort, calling it frustrating for teammates and fans.
  • The Eagles may consider trade offers for Brown, with the Patriots emerging as a potential destination.

AJ Brown’s actions have raised questions about his future with the Philadelphia Eagles. Although general manager Howie Roseman sees Brown as a vital part of the Eagles’ offense, there will still be offers coming in as the offseason approaches. But before that, Jason Kelce delivered a choice of words for the big wideout.

Kelce spent two seasons with Brown before retiring at the beginning of 2024. The following two years didn’t go so well for Brown. Sure, the Eagles won a Super Bowl, but he witnessed a steady decline in his numbers.

The rumored feud with quarterback Jalen Hurts dominated headlines, despite the QB-WR duo insisting they weren’t at odds. The tension was evident on the football field. Despite winning the division for the second straight year, the Eagles faltered at the first hurdle, losing to the 49ers.

Brown concluded the season with a career-low 1,003 receiving yards on 78 receptions over 15 appearances.

Jason Kelce makes his stance clear about AJ Brown

There’s no question that Brown is still an elite wide receiver, rubbing shoulders with Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Puka Nacua. However, his mood swings have created issues for the Eagles.

Jason Kelce Admits Watching AJ Brown Was ‘Frustrating’ Last Season
AJ Brown (Image via IMAGO)

Kelce highlighted that while appearing on SportsRadio WIP. The All-Pro center criticized Brown for not giving his all over the past couple of years.

How hard is it to play with a player that’s not giving full effort? It’s incredibly frustrating. 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 said

Brown was particularly bad in the wild-card defeat to the Niners. He dropped multiple catches and was caught arguing with head coach Nick Sirianni and the Eagles coaching team. Big Dom, the Eagles’ head of security, had to step in to defuse the situation.

If that wasn’t a sign that Brown had reached his limit, then a story by Bleeding Green Nation’s Joseph Santoliquito shed even more light on the situation. Santoliquito reported that Brown asked to be traded several times over the course of the season, but Roseman refused to reciprocate.

He’s [AJ] 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. Some guys can block that out; they go out there and just play football. He is clearly not one of those guys.

Kelce quipped

Will the Eagles trade AJ Brown?

As the season’s over, Roseman has the time to listen to trade offers from teams while assessing his options for the upcoming draft in Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler hinted that teams are interested in taking Brown off the Eagles’ hands.

That’s sort of the feeling right now. They can build around [WR] DeVonta Smith and some other pieces. [RB] Saquon [Barkley]. Maybe add another wide receiver. [Brown] would create a haul for the Eagles if they do go that route.

Fowler said in a recent segment of Get Up on ESPN

The Patriots could be a strong contender to pursue Brown, while Stefon Diggs’ future remains up in the air as he faces a hearing for a lawsuit filed last year. Brown grew up a Patriots fan and has expressed his desire to suit up for the six-time champions.

According to Over The Cap, New England has $35.3 million in cap space for the 2026 season (10th most), which could bump up to $42 million by releasing Diggs and a couple others. A second-round draft pick should be enough for the Eagles to part ways with Brown.

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