21 February 2023 , 19:07
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NFL star A.J. Brown has warned Philadelphia Eagles bosses to pay Jalen Hurts or trade the receiver to wherever the quarterback lands amid negotiations over what is expected to be a blockbuster contract.
Hurts led the Eagles to the Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, with his team falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in a dramatic 38-35 loss that will go down in history as an all-time classic. Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes overcame injury to throw for 182 yards and three touchdowns to lead Kansas City to a sensational win, which was secured by a late field goal from kicker Harrison Butler with just eight seconds remaining.
In Super Bowl LVII, Hurts accounted for 304 passing yards and a touchdown to go with 70 yards and three scores. His performance was admirable but it was merely a continuation of his fine form displayed over the 2022 season; the 24-year-old was an MVP candidate as he registered a 14-1 record last season, finishing the regular season with 3,701 passing yards, 760 rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns.
After the Eagles enjoyed such a stellar campaign, the franchise faces a difficult task in keeping a number of stars in the building for the 2023 season. Brown is desperate for stars to stay, including Hurts as he is eligible for a contract extension this offseason.
If the Eagles want to return to the pinnacle of the NFL at the Super Bowl next year in Las Vegas, they will need their dynamic quarterback to suit up in Philadelphia green. Brown is aware of this and made it clear to general manager Howie Roseman that the organisation have got to tie Hurts down - or send Brown to whichever team Hurts next plays for.
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“I love Philly,” Brown said on the Raw Room podcast while ironically wearing a Kansas City Royals - part-owned by Mahomes - baseball hat. “And what I’m about to say: if you do not pay this man, just ship me off wherever he finna go. So you talk about pressure? Howie, get it done.”
Brown’s unwavering loyalty to his quarterback after just one season together makes sense: the 25-year-old snagged a career-high 88 catches for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season. He was named to his second Pro Bowl.
A.J. Brown made a spectacular catch to score a 45-yard touchdown in Super Bowl LVII (Getty Images)In the playoffs, Brown continued to dominate with 13 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown. The score was the 45-yard strike in the second quarter of the epic Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.
Ultimately, keeping Hurts in Philadelphia will cost a lot of money. Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed five-year deal worth $230million with the Cleveland Browns broke the market, so Hurts will be looking for top dollar.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie will decide his fate. Lurie told Yahoo Sports that the franchise cannot be afraid to give quarterbacks long-term lucrative deals, especially after the team signed Carson Wentz to a mega contract in 2019 only to draft Hurts a year later and Wentz the following season.
“You just can’t be afraid,” Lurie told Yahoo Sports. “You make the decision and the commitment and move forward. And we feel great about where we’re with Jalen right now.”