As the Philadelphia Eagles come off their bye week and enter the unofficial halfway point of the season, there is no debate about who has been among the biggest frustrations.
Star receiver A.J. Brown has created debate and controversy where there were obvious answers. It isn't unusual to see the receiver clearly frustrated on the sideline or giving the media all the wrong answers. Brown has created drama for a franchise that should be completely focused on defending its Super Bowl title. Now, the No. 1 playmaker is dealing with an injury, and his timeline to return is unclear.
At every turn, the star pass catcher has been a source of frustration. Brown has offered 395 receiving yards and three touchdowns, with this production somewhat hampered by missing the last game ahead of the bye — a matchup in which Philly sent a clear message, putting up 38 points and looking dominant offensively even with Brown on the bench.
Eagles fans can only hope that this goes a long way in calming the frustrating outlook of a player who remains both supremely talented and irritating.
A.J. Brown Was a 1st-Half Frustration for Eagles
The issue here goes hand-in-hand with the fact that Brown's current production doesn't match up to the level of distraction he is creating. His 56.4 yards per game and 13.6 yards per reception are not only drop-offs from last year's averages (83.0 and 16.1, respectively), but they're also the worst outputs of his seven-year career.
What has made Philly the most dominating team in football over the last two years is the ability to do whatever it takes to win. Whether that means quarterback Jalen Hurts playing point guard or sitting back and letting Saquon Barkley do all the heavy lifting, this isn't a team that puts egos ahead of doing whatever it takes to win. That seems to be something that Brown is somehow unable to grasp, even after winning a ring with this style of play.
Brown should have a higher level of trust in his teammates and coaches, especially amid his fourth season with the Eagles. Now, the veteran pass-catcher is dealing with a hamstring injury that gave the offense a chance to send a strong message. One that shouldn't be ignored for a player who has been frustratingly selfish and unable to set his ego aside in the pursuit of winning.
While there are times that Brown has said all of the right things, this seems to only stay consistent when he is being force-fed the football. The effort and engagement are often dependent on whether or not he believes he is getting his fair share of touches. An outlook that has to change after the bye for this roster to reach its full potential.
There is no debating how supremely talented Brown remains and his importance. However, there must be a wake-up call and a change of outlook as the Eagles attempt to chase their second straight Lombardi Trophy.