The NFL is a business. Most players will learn that at some point in their careers — even the most elite players whose talent and loyalty should be enough to avoid it. It only takes learning the lesson one time for a player to put their guard up with future teams.
A.J. Brown was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2019, started his NFL with two consecutive 1,000-plus yard seasons, was a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year, was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2020, missed just five total games over three seasons, and was without question one of the most dynamic and elite receivers in the whole NFL.
Still, as his rookie contract was drawing to a close, Brown was looking for a big-money, second contract and the Titans weren’t as committed. Howie Roseman made a call, and Brown admitted at the time that he was a little sad that Tennessee was on board with the trade, but ultimately the Eagles offered a lucrative extension and, after all, it’s a business.
The WR has been nothing short of excited about coming to Philly since the moment he posted that picture of him celebrating the trade with QB Jalen Hurts. Brown has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since joining the Eagles, back-to-back Pro Bowls, and still broke NFL records in 2023 despite the team’s ugly collapse.
Still, as the Eagles went from 10-1 to a losing streak to end the season, Brown’s frustrations were apparent and rumors started swirling about him being unhappy in Philly. Mind you, most players were frustrated at this point, and Brown had come out and said that he wanted to stay with the Eagles. That didn’t stop people from speculating that 2023 would be the last season in Philly for Brown.
As internet know-nothings threw out unfounded claims that Howie Roseman was shopping Brown for a trade, it’s hard to imagine that wouldn’t bring up unsettled feelings for the WR. Even if Roseman called him up to tell him not to mind the noise, why should he believe something he had heard from Titans’ GM Jon Robinson just a few years prior. After all, it’s a business.
Roseman is a smart guy. He knew what he had to do to prove to Brown that the Eagles wanted him in Philly and envision him here for the long term. And he did it. The Eagles’ GM locked up Brown, signing him to a three-year extension worth even more money than he was already due — this even after locking up DeVonta Smith, too. The Eagles didn’t want one over the other, they want both.
Brown hasn’t reacted publicly yet to his new contract extension, but it hopefully allows him to let his guard down a little, fully embrace the Eagles and Philly community, and know that he is wanted and appreciated here — and that it isn’t always a (bad) business.
