Nick Sirianni’s offensive strategy for the Philadelphia Eagles is working, but he leans heavily on the run game instead of the passing attack led by quarterback Jalen Hurts. This approach frustrates star wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who believe the team isn’t using them enough. As a result, fans and analysts are now speculating that both players might leave the Eagles sooner than expected.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that several factors are casting doubt on the long-term future of Brown and Smith in Philadelphia. Even though the Eagles have started 4-0 and are pushing for another Super Bowl run, internal tensions are starting to build within the locker room.
Concerns over offensive balance
As reported by Athlonsports, a source told Russini: “Right now for the Eagles, it’s run, run, run. Hurts makes off-schedule plays and pushes through. For the receivers, that means when they reach the red zone, they’re not getting the ball—and they know it. That’s where the frustration comes from.”
A.J. Brown 𝙖𝙣𝙙 DeVonta Smith are frustrated with their roles in the Eagles’ offense, multiple sources tell me.
One is venting more publicly than the other. But both want something to change — specifically in the red zone.https://t.co/si4BSfXQUi pic.twitter.com/JAOFaCXoz7— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 4, 2025
Another NFL general manager told the outlet: “The Eagles pay nearly $50 million to two wide receivers—Brown and Smith—but barely involve them in the offense. The team keeps winning because it relies heavily on the run, yet that’s not the role those players expected.”
Smith averages 39.5 receiving yards per game, and Brown averages 37.8, with 109 of his 151 total yards coming in a single matchup. Philadelphia posts the second-lowest passing yards per game in the league (138), which clearly exposes the imbalance in its offensive scheme.
Brown expressed his frustration on social media, stating that the team leaves him out of the offensive plan. His posts show growing dissatisfaction with his limited role. If this continues, analysts believe the Eagles will need to make a major roster move soon, especially if either receiver demands a trade to a more pass-oriented team.
