A.J. Brown insists there's 'no bad blood' with Titans despite surprise Philadelphia Eagles switch
- Sean Fisher
- 3 May 2022
Of all the first round Draft chaos last week, A.J. Brown's trade to the Philadelphia Eagles was one of the more surprising events, and it's led to many questioning whether he requested a move.
After spending two years with the Tennessee Titans, A.J. Brown made the switch to Philadelphia earlier this month, with the 24-year-old signing a $100million deal.
Brown has emerged as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL during his young career, and as a result he was searching for a improved contract extension with the Titans after ending the 2021/22 season.
It never quite came to fruition, and rumours of a trade quickly began to circle. But the best bet was always on Brown sticking with the Titans for next season, and even GM Jon Robinson admitted he didn't "forsee" a move happening in the offseason.
But it did end up happening, and Brown was part of a trade that saw the Titans pick up a pair of draft picks in return, which the franchise used to pick up Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks in the first round - presumably as Brown's replacement.
1 x 11 #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/MpYqSqvirx
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 3, 2022
The whole situation seems as though Brown had a bigger part to play in the move than he's letting on, but he declined to address whether or not he requested a trade, and insisted there was "no bad blood" between him and his former team.
"I built relationships over the last three years with a lot of good friends, and just to see it go, just leaving the building, it's tough," said Brown.
"But I'm also excited to be an Eagle and to be a part of a great organization.
"I kind of knew about the possible trade around, like, 1 o'clock, and just mixed emotions when it worked out, and I actually worked out really hard, trying to get some stuff off my chest, and it was just ups and downs,
"Like I said, it was bittersweet, I was a little sad that the Titans were on board with the trade, but it's a part of the business and that's fine.
After making 19 touchdown catches and back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in his first two years, the Eagles will hope that Brown's arrival can help bump them up and produce a run in the play-offs.
Inked through 2026@1kalwaysopen_ | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/m5SbTRTOK4
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 2, 2022
He endured an injury-stricken season throughout 2021, but still showed glimpses of his brilliant potential, and it seems the Eagles were willing to take a $100million risk on fulfilling that with Brown in the side.
"I'm one of the top guys in the league," Brown added. "I'm confident in how I play, what I bring to the table. I'm glad the Eagles believed in me."
