Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts addressed the media on Wednesday, clearing the air about his relationship with wide receiver A.J. Brown. Rumors of a rift have been circulating for a while, fueled by ongoing trade talk and the fact that Hurts wasn't spotted in the photos from Brown’s recent wedding.

The topic came up during voluntary organized team activities when a reporter asked Hurts how a potential trade involving the All-Pro receiver would impact the team. Hurts happened to be taking a sip of water at that exact moment, leading to a brief, awkward silence. He joked about picking the perfect time to grab a drink, but quickly turned serious, emphasizing that nothing can take away from the success they have built together in Philadelphia.

When reporters pushed for clarity on where their friendship stands, Hurts dismissed any idea of bad blood. He noted that nothing has changed since the end of last season and that they remain on great terms. Hurts also mentioned seeing the wedding photos online, stating he was genuinely happy and excited for Brown, his new wife, and their family.

The tight bond between the two is well-known. Their friendship goes back to college when Hurts hosted Brown on a recruiting visit to Alabama, and Hurts is even the godfather to Brown’s daughter. 

Brown, who has expressed frustration with the passing offense in the past, did not attend Wednesday’s voluntary workout. Analysts widely expect him to be traded this offseason, potentially to the New England Patriots, with a deal likely to be completed after June 1 for salary cap purposes.