The focus for the Philadelphia Eagles is on what it is always on: Constant improvement, building relationships, connecting on and off the field, and winning on gameday. That hasn't changed one bit as the friendship between quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown has been a topic of conversation outside the walls of the NovaCare Complex this week.
Inside, it's been about beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
"I see them working to get better. I see them working to get better together. Whether that's after an install meeting, where they gather right here and talk about how A.J. will run a route or how Jalen will read, all those different things. They spend so much time on that," Head Coach Nick Sirianni said on Wednesday. "You guys get to see three hours every Sunday where emotions can play as high as they're going to play. You get to see three hours of that. I get to see these guys every single day, how they go about their business and interact with each other. I get to see them after practice, working on routes together and talking.
"I know there were assumptions of things, which we get how that goes. I can only go off my personal experience of how these guys interact every single day. And these guys are locked in and focused on getting better and getting better together so they're on the same page to go and accomplish the things we want to accomplish. I witness that every single day."
Both Hurts and Brown said they have spoken with defensive end Brandon Graham, who acknowledged that he "got it wrong" with his words on a Monday radio show. Everything, said Hurts, is "good" as he moves forward getting ready for the 10-3 Steelers and their outstanding defense.
"We're good, we're good. We've spoken. I think in the end, BG knows he spoke out of place and he knows that," Hurts said. "It's about the team in the end. I think overall, that's where my focus is. I think that's where everyone's focus is at heart and trying to do what's best for the team. Ultimately, everyone cares about the team's success, so whenever something happens, whatever it is, I look at myself first because everything starts and ends with me.
"I take great pride in what I do, I take great pride in the responsibilities I have, what I am to the city and to this team. I challenge myself on that. I'm at my best when I'm my biggest critic and I have to continue to challenge myself on being critical on some things so I can be better and in the end, everyone expresses themself differently and I respect that. I respect how anyone shows up. But ultimately, I look at myself first and say 'how can I be better, what do I need to do to be better?' and ultimately play at the highest level I can play."
Hurts said he understands that Brown wants to be more involved in the offense – as all great players do – and that the overall pitch is that team comes first. Brown echoed those thoughts.
"We're trying to go out here and do our job each and every Sunday. When he (a reporter) asked the question of 'what the offense can do better' (after Sunday's win over Carolina) obviously it's not running the ball. He's (running back Saquon Barkley) about to win MVP, like literally. So, what other thing do we have to do on offense? We have to pass the ball and that can go into protection, that goes for picking up a block, that goes to us getting open quicker, getting on the same page. Whatever the case may be, it's a collect group of things and I think they just kind of spun it that way.
"I said that for a reason, basically because we went to the Super Bowl and lost (in 2022 season). We tried again the next year and we were 10 and whatever our record was and there was a landslide. Here we go again, and this is something we can correct right now while we have the opportunity. And that's why I was bringing the awareness of bringing it to everybody's attention.
"This is something we can focus on. We know we can run the ball, Saquon is doing a great job. We're not against running the ball, we love Saquon. Ask him what I tell him at the end of the game and in the game. I'm OK with being whatever bad guy I have to be for the city, the town, whatever the case may be for my team to be accountable and to get better. If I'm that guy, I will be that guy gladly. It is what it is.
"We don't care. We're not in it for feelings. We're trying to hold the Lombardi Trophy up, that's the end goal."
