Rob Gronkowski acknowledges how “unselfish” AJ Brown helped Saquon Barkley shine in Eagles’ Super Bowl quest

AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles wideout, registered just three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl LIX.

Rob Gronkowski acknowledges how “unselfish” AJ Brown helped Saquon Barkley shine in Eagles’ Super Bowl quest

AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, Rob Gronkowski (Images via The Philadelphia Inquirer/Boston Herald/AP News)

The Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant 40-22 triumph in Super Bowl LIX resulted from their collective strength and adaptability. The Eagles defense was top-notch, restricting the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome while the offense put scores on the board.

Rob Gronkowski, a former New England Patriots player, claimed that the Philadelphia Eagles’ unselfish nature was a primary reason for their success. He pointed out the name of wideout AJ Brown was fine being a shadow in the rise of Saquon Barkley. The tight-end expressed that AJ Brown’s unselfish nature was a huge contributor to running back Barkley’s flourishing on the grandest stage of them all.

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Speaking on the Dudes on Dudes podcast, Gronkowski pointed out that Brown’s acceptance of a reduced target share, despite being an All-Pro talent, was crucial to the Eagles’ championship-winning campaign. His impact extended beyond receptions, as his downfield blocking played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for Barkley to showcase his explosiveness.

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From the coaches to the top of the organization, everyone was acting unselfish and that’s why they won the Super Bowl this year… Especially A.J. Brown… An All-Pro wide receiver and he was getting targets like he was the third or fourth guy on the team just because of the system that they have with Saquon Barkley.

Rob Gronkowski said

As the Eagles celebrated their title, it became clear that their success was built on more than just raw talent, it was defined by a culture of selflessness. In a league where star players often demand the spotlight, Brown’s approach exemplified how a fearsome championship-caliber team is made.

AJ Brown played a secondary role in the Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2024

AJ Brown has far established himself as a premier playmaker, leaving no questions about his ability on the field. The 27-year-old, however, willingly adapted and comprised in the last season as the Birds shifted their strategy around Barkley’s dynamic rushing ability.

AJ Brown
AJ Brown (Image via KXAN)

During Philadelphia’s playoff run, Brown’s involvement in the passing game was strikingly subdued, recording just three receptions for 24 yards across two victories. Instead of expressing frustration over his reduced targets, he embraced a team-first mindset, focusing on making critical downfield blocks that allowed Barkley to gain momentum

Initially, there were some speculations that AJ Brown wasn’t pleased with victory due to his subdued role. The Mississippi native had posted a note admitting the Super Bowl win wasn’t up to his expectations. Later on, he quashed all the rumors, revealing that it just wasn’t his scene.

AJ Brown’s sacrifice was evident throughout the postseason. Despite facing a Kansas City Chiefs defense intent on neutralizing Philadelphia’s ground game, Barkley found success thanks in part to Brown’s efforts in the trenches.

His ability to draw defensive attention helped open up lanes for Barkley, enabling the star running back to consistently move the chains. Brown’s commitment to the game plan did not go unnoticed, earning him praise from football analysts and former players alike. Those efforts culminated in Barkley amassing an impressive total of 140 offensive yards in the Super Bowl.

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