Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie Meets A.J. Brown Over Offense Frustrations

The Philadelphia Eagles’ owner, Jeffrey Lurie, held an unexpected meeting with star wide receiver A.J. Brown during practice last week to address the player’s public dissatisfaction with his role in the team’s offense. According to a senior team official, this unusual step was initiated by Eagles security chief Dom DiSandro, who signaled Brown over to the sideline for a conversation with Lurie during Thursday’s practice.

The encounter lasted approximately ten minutes, during which Brown assured Lurie that he would refrain from airing his grievances on social media. However, he also expressed his desire to be more involved in the offense, highlighting his frustrations. Lurie reportedly responded by telling Brown that an apology was unnecessary, and they concluded the meeting with a hug before Brown returned to practice.

This marked a notable moment, as team sources indicated it was the first time DiSandro had facilitated a meeting between Lurie and a player on the field. DiSandro, who has been with Lurie for 28 years, typically attends private dinners with players rather than practice sessions.

The meeting came on the heels of Brown’s public comments regarding the Eagles’ offense. On March 6, 2024, he stated, “It’s not just solely about my situation. I want to win, too.” Brown emphasized the need for the offense to improve, saying, “At what point are we going to pick up our slack as an offense? You can’t keep slapping a Band-Aid over that and expect to win late in the year.”

Concerns surrounding Brown’s remarks intensified after a video surfaced showing him playing a game of “Madden” with streamer JankyRondo. When asked about his situation, Brown candidly replied, “I mean, no. Where have you been? Family is good. Everything else, no. It’s a s—show.” He later clarified that he was not apologizing for his comments, insisting he wasn’t attempting to blame anyone, but rather trying to cope with his feelings humorously.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni stated that he did not view Brown’s expressions of discontent as a distraction for the team. This season, Brown has recorded 31 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns over eight games, which puts him on track for a career-low total of 867 receiving yards. The Eagles rank 25th in the NFL for passing yards, averaging 191.7 per game, and are 12th for points scored, averaging 24.2.

The Eagles have also faced challenges with their third-down offense, sitting at 27th with a conversion rate of 42.4%. They have experienced three-and-out drives on 41% of their possessions, placing them 28th in the league.

Despite these offensive struggles, the Eagles maintain a solid position at the top of the NFC East with a record of 7-2. They are preparing to face the Lions (6-3) on Sunday night, aiming for their fourth consecutive victory.

Tim McManus of ESPN contributed to this report, highlighting the ongoing dynamics within the Eagles as they navigate player concerns and performance expectations.