Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown made his first media appearance this week after not speaking to reporters during the final two months of the season.
So what did Brown — who has been linked to trade rumors — have to say about his future with the team?
Brown did not openly state that he wants to play in Philadelphia. It’s still possible he could be looking for a way out, as many expect.
But in case he returns, Brown appears to be encouraged with the Eagles’ coaching staff changes after the team lost in the first-round of the playoffs. The Eagles fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and replaced him with 33-year-old Sean Mannion.
“Sometimes change is not a bad thing,” Brown said on the newest episode of The Edge with Micah Parsons. “I have the utmost respect for KP. To me, he did a tremendous job, and he has a great heart. But I’m excited for the season. I’m excited for what’s to come.”
In case he returns, Brown knows the offense must improve — and not just the scheme. The players have to perform at a higher level.
“As an offense, we need to come back and watch the tape and rediscover ourselves and go to work each and every day. Being accountable, and taking it one day at a time,” Brown said at a Super Bowl media event.
“We have great leaders in our locker room. I’m fortunate to be a part of that, especially on offense. We have a lot of talent, but talent gets us nowhere. It’s all about being detailed and being disciplined.”
Over the next few weeks, the Eagles will have to make a decision on Brown’s future. After the season, general manager Howie Roseman gave a noncommittal answer about Brown returning.
“It’s hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said when asked about whether he’d be open to trading Brown. “That’s what we’re going out and looking for, when we go out in free agency and the draft, is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. So that would be my answer.”