Jason Kelce, the former stalwart center of the Philadelphia Eagles, didn’t mince words recently when discussing the ups and downs of the franchise’s 2025 campaign, particularly regarding wide receiver A.J. Brown.
In a candid interview on Sports Radio 94 WIP, Kelce expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of consistent effort from Brown, a player with undeniable talent but uneven performance that seemed to echo throughout the season.
Kelce‘s remarks stirred conversation among fans and analysts alike, highlighting how difficult it can be to watch a gifted athlete struggle visibly on the field.
“How hard is it to play with a player that’s not giving full effort? It’s incredibly frustrating,” Kelce said.
“Any player that’s out there when you’re seeing a teammate not go all out, that’s all you want from your teammates, and that’s all we want as fans. It’s a really hard thing to optically watch, it’s frustrating to watch.”
While Kelce stopped short of outright condemning Brown‘s heart or overall character, his honesty about how internal frustrations appeared to manifest during games underscored the drive for accountability at the highest levels of professional football.
Balancing talent and team chemistry in Philadelphia
The conversation surrounding Brown’s performance in 2025 was complex and multifaceted. The Eagles’ offense, though competitive, struggled to consistently click at times.
Brown, a perennial 1,000yard receiver and one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers, occasionally appeared disengaged or visibly upset when targets were scarce, which fed into broader debates about his role, satisfaction, and emotional investment.
Brown‘s frustrations were not limited to Kelce’s observations. Earlier in the season, he came under fire for a social media post featuring a cryptic Bible verse, which some interpreted as a commentary on his relationship with the team’s offensive direction.
While he later clarified and apologized for letting emotions boil over, that episode added fuel to the narrative of a star player at odds with his onfield experience.
Despite that, Kelce was quick to emphasize the respect and affection the Eagles organization still holds for Brown.
“The reality is, most of the words that come out of that building from players, from coaches, from [anybody], everybody loves A.J. Brown,” Kelce added.
“And you can tell when a lot of times people are just feeding you bull crap or whatnot. There’s a genuine appreciation for A.J.”
Brown‘s career with the Eagles has been marked by high production and undeniable ability; he has been a key contributor in multiple deep playoff runs and helped the franchise reach two Super Bowls, catching touchdowns in both appearances.
Yet performance alone doesn’t always paint the full picture. In Kelce‘s view, the emotional and mental approach to the game plays just as large a role in team success.
As the Eagles head into the offseason and look toward the 2026 NFL campaign, questions about Brown’s future have surfaced.
His current contract includes an option after the 2026 season, giving the organization flexibility in how it moves forward, whether by building around Brown or exploring trade options if things don’t improve.
Kelce’s comments, while blunt, reflect a common sentiment among former players and fans alike: elite athletes are expected not just to be talented, but to bring relentless effort every down.
In a sport defined by teamwork, chemistry, and shared goals, visible frustration can ripple through a locker room, something Kelce, one of the most respected voices in Eagles history, knows all too well.
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