Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Sends Clear Message on Kevin Patullo & A.J. Brown Drama

In terms of endorsements, when it comes to the NFL anything other than an actual endorsement can be taken as a non-endorsement. Examples of this aren’t hard to find.  When the Baltimore Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, head coach John Harbaugh was asked if he wanted to keep coaching the team.  He replied with an emphatic “Yes,” and added that he loved his players.  That’s an endorsement.

When Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was asked after the game if he wanted to keep playing in Baltimore for Harbaugh, he said he couldn’t think about anything other than the game he just played in.  That’s a non-endorsement. Harbaugh was fired just a few days later.

So, when Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was asked if he wanted offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and wide receiver A.J. Brown back next season, his answer spoke volumes.  “It’s too soon to think about that,” Hurts said one day after a season-ending NFC playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. “I put my trust in Howie, Nick, and Mr. Lurie … A.J. and I have talked, we’re in a great place. Maybe y’all can talk to him and ask.”  That’s a non-endorsement, and a clear message Hurts is ready to move on from both Patullo, who almost assuredly will be fired, and Brown, who has been a thorn in his side for years.

Brown, Patullo Bottomed Out Against 49ers

Patullo and Brown held a clinic on how to properly crash out in the loss to the 49ers.  With the season on the line, Patullo bumbled and stumbled his way through another game of calling plays that absolutely do not work. His fate after one year as offensive coordinator seems assured.  “The Eagles lined up under center 7 times in the second half (against the 49ers) and ran the ball 7 times,” former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said. ” … that’s a high school offense.”

Brown finished with 3 receptions for 25 yards, with no receptions in the second half and one massive drop in the fourth quarter following 2 huge drops in the first half — something  His play wasn’t the only cause of concern. Following his second drop in the first half, Brown got into a heated sideline confrontation with head coach Nick Sirianni that led to the 2 being separated by Eagles head of security Dom “Big Dom” DiSandro.

Hurt Not Without Blame in Philly’s Struggles

While Patullo and Brown’s transgressions were much more egregious, Hurts wasn’t without blame for how the season ended for the defending Super Bowl champions.  Fox Sports color commentator and 7-time Super bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady called Hurts out for his decision-making in the fourth quarter, when Hurts decided to force a throw to wide receiver Jahan Dotson deep in 49ers territory instead of taking a shot on the other side of the field, where Brown, a 3-time NFL All-Pro, was running routes alongside DeVonta Smith.   “I don’t know what (Hurts) is possibly seeing here,” Brady said during the broadcast. “If I have 2 Pro Bowl caliber wide receivers to one side … I’m going to give them a shot at getting the ball. That’s what you’re paying them for.”