Getty
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and wide receiver A.J. Brown.
In 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles were the defending NFC champions and off to a 10-1 start before completely falling apart down the stretch. They lost 5oof their last 6 games before losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Behind the scenes, the rumblings were the Eagles’ locker room had become a toxic place, and the source of the problem was NFL All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Because veteran center Jason Kelce so quickly came to Brown’s defense — and did so repeatedly — Brown was able to avoid much scrutiny at the time.
That’s why it should raise some eyebrows that Kelce, who retired after that 2023 season, delivered a pretty damning critique of Brown during an appearance on Philadelphia Sports Radio 94 WIP on Thursday.
In particular, Kelce called Brown out not for his controversial comments — multiple, public criticisms of the offense and quarterback Jalen Hurts — but for not giving it 100 percent when he took the field.
“Few things are as frustrating than when you can optically see that (lack of effort) from one of your teammates,” said Kelce, who has worked for ESPN’s Monday Night Football pre-game show the last 2 years. “Whatever was affecting A.J. (in 2025) was affecting the Eagles as well … he’s 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.”
Kelce One of Most Beloved Eagles of All Time
It’s not a stretch to say Kelce is not just one of the most beloved Eagles of all time but one of the most beloved Philadelphia pro athletes of all time — a list that includes Mike Schmidt, Allen Iverson, Reggie White, Dr. J and Bobby Clarke.
Kelce was sixth round pick (No. 191 overall) by the Eagles out of the University of Cincinnati in the 2011 NFL draft and played 13 seasons, winning one Super Bowl and playing in another while being named a 6-time NFL All-Pro and 7-time Pro Bowler.
When Kelce retired, he delivered one of the most emotional goodbye speeches you’ll ever see.
“I’ve been asked many times why did I choose football — what drew me to the game — and I never have an answer that gets it right,” Kelce said through tears. “The best way I could explain it is what draws you to your favorite song … your favorite book. It’s what it makes you feel. The seriousness of it. The intensity of it. Stepping on the field was the most alive and free I had ever felt. There was a visceral feeling with football, unlike any sport. The hairs on my arms would stand up. I could hit somebody, run around like a crazed lunatic and then get told, ‘Good job.’ I love football.”
Brown Could Very Well Be Traded Soon
The Eagles seem ready to trade Brown after 4 seasons, even it comes with a massive financial penalty.
Should the Eagles trade Brown, they would have to deal with a dead cap hit of $23.4 million in 2025 — essentially wiping out most of the salary cap increase of $279.2 million to somewhere around $305 million.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
More Heavy on Eagles
Loading more stories