Nick Sirianni Breaks Silence on A.J. Brown’s Mysterious Target Drought vs. Packers—What’s Really Going On?

When you watch the Philadelphia Eagles fly the skies with their 7-2 record, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wins and playoff dreams. But there’s been one buzz in the locker room and among fans alike — what’s going on with A.J. Brown’s touches? Sure, this towering receiver has had some nights where the ball barely finds his hands — like that recent Monday duel against the Packers with just two grabs for 13 yards. Yet, those quieter stat sheets haven’t stopped Philly from racking up Ws. Nick Sirianni, eagle-eyed as ever, digs deeper into why Brown’s numbers might not tell the full story — defenses scheming, game flow, and all those “what if” moments that make football so tantalizing. And just as Brown himself has wrestled with these frustrations, his coach stands firm, vouching for his integral role in the game plan moving forward. It’s a fascinating chess match unfolding on the gridiron, setting the stage for a critical next chapter against the Detroit Lions. Curious about the full scoop? LEARN MORE

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked about the lack of touches for wide receiver A.J. Brown, according to Bleeding Green Nation reporter Brandon Lee Gowton.

On Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, Brown had two catches for 13 yards on three targets. That was his third game of the season with two or fewer catches. The Eagles have won each of those games.

Sirianni pointed to some of the defensive looks and the flow of the game as preventing Brown from getting more opportunities.

“If you look at the game and how it went, there are a lot of plays that are going to him that, for different reasons, don’t,” Sirianni said. “For instance, [DeVonta Smith] Smitty touchdown… that is going to A.J. [The Packers] took it away and [Jalen Hurts] threw it away.”

Sirianni also does not think that stats tell the full story on Brown’s impact and remains confident in his star receiver.

“You can’t look at stats and just say ‘this is happening,'” Sirianni said. “A.J. Brown is one of the best receivers in the league, so of course, we try to get him involved in the game every single time. Sometimes it goes like it did in the Rams game or the Vikings game, and sometimes it goes like it did in this last game.”

As questions continued about Brown, Sirianni seemed ready to put the discussion about his role in the offense to bed.

“I’m close to being done answering questions about this,” Sirianni said, as reported by The Athletic’s Zach Berman. “He’s working hard, he is a big part of this game plan, and he’ll be a big part of the game plan going forward. He’s working like crazy when he’s here. I’m excited to have him.”

Brown had 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown against the Rams and six catches for 121 yards against the Vikings. Brown has 31 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Brown has also expressed frustration with his usage this season. He posted a picture on Instagram on Oct. 21 with the caption “Using me but not using me.”

Brown had also shared a cryptic message on social media earlier that month after a two-catch outing against the Buccaneers, posting, “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”

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Brown addressed the post later that week with the media:

“Obviously, Sunday after the game I let my frustrations boil over,” he said. “I didn’t speak to the media. I had a chance to correct my frustrations, and I continue to let them boil over and that’s on me. I take full accountability on that. My message on Twitter wasn’t directed at anyone in the building, not my coaches, not my quarterback, my GM, nobody. I take full accountability.”

Brown had five catches for 43 receiving yards on eight targets in the game to follow.

The Eagles are 7-2 and would hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC if the season ended after Week 10. They take on the 6-3 Detroit Lions in Week 11, in a matchup that could have playoff seeding implications.