The Philadelphia Eagles are facing a turbulent offseason following a disappointing playoff exit after the 2025 season, with concerns mounting around wide receiver A.J. Brown. Amid swirling trade speculation concerning Brown’s future with the team, former Eagles center Jason Kelce openly criticized the star’s effort during an interview with 94WIP. Kelce expressed frustration over Brown’s apparent lack of intensity, a rare public rebuke from a franchise icon.
Kelce’s comments spotlight tension within the team as they navigate uncertainty.
“How hard is it to play with a player that’s not giving full effort? It’s incredibly frustrating,”
Kelce said.
“Any player that’s out there when you’re seeing a teammate not go all out, that’s all you want from your teammates, and that’s all we want as fans. It’s a really hard thing to optically watch, it’s frustrating to watch.”
Performance Woes and Internal Struggles Impacting Team Dynamics
The Eagles’ offense struggled to replicate the success of their previous Super Bowl run, with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo absorbing much of the blame for the offense’s underperformance. However, concerns about quarterback Jalen Hurts’ consistency and Brown’s own frustrations have continued to fuel offseason uncertainty. Kelce emphasized that Brown’s internal struggles have visibly affected his on-field contributions.
“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 explained.
Brown’s 2025 season was inconsistent. Despite achieving five games with over 100 receiving yards, the Eagles lost three of those games. Conversely, the team went 6-1 when Brown gained fewer than 50 yards in a game, underscoring inconsistent correlations between his personal stats and team success. According to PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric, Brown finished the season ranked 21st among receivers, behind teammate DeVonta Smith, who was 17th.
Frustration Over Target Share and Its Effects on Morale
Brown publicly voiced dissatisfaction with his uneven target share throughout the season. His visible frustration intensified as missed connections with Hurts became more frequent, drawing the attention of fans and former teammates alike. Kelce observed,
“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, and it makes his energy worse. Some guys can block that out; they go out there and just play football. He is clearly not one of those guys.”
Over the course of the year, Brown recorded 78 receptions on 121 targets, totaling 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite solid production, he failed to make an All-Pro team for the first time in four years. This slide, coupled with his attitude issues, has raised doubts about his long-term fit with the Eagles.
Potential Roster Changes Ahead for Philadelphia’s Struggling Offense
As Philadelphia prepares for substantial changes within its coaching staff, the front office may feel pressure to overhaul player personnel. Brown’s tense relationships with teammates, staff, and franchise figures could make him a likely candidate for departure this offseason. The team’s leadership appears ready to move forward with a roster that better aligns with the culture they want to foster after the disappointing finish to the 2025 campaign.
Moving forward, how the Eagles resolve their issues surrounding A.J. Brown may significantly shape the franchise’s direction as they seek to salvage results and restore cohesion. Brown, once a cornerstone of their offense, is now under close scrutiny amid trade talks that could redefine the team’s offensive identity in the near future.
Jason Kelce on a perceived lack of effort from A.J. Brown this season:
"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." pic.twitter.com/tsQxzKH1np
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 12, 2026
