Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was reportedly a notable absentee from teammate A.J. Brown’s wedding to Kelsey Riley last week as speculation mounts over the wide receiver’s future.
The couple enjoyed a luxurious California wedding on Saturday at the jaw-dropping Montage Laguna Beach resort but, according to TMZ, Hurts wasn’t present.
It remains to be seen whether Hurts chose not to attend or if he wasn’t invited by Brown and his new wife.
Either way, it is the latest chapter in the two players’ rollercoaster relationship that has plagued the Eagles behind the scenes and contributed to their dismal Super Bowl title defense last season.
Brown has often cut a frustrated figure with the Eagles’ offense and their struggles in the passing game, which is led by Hurts as the quarterback. Things reached a nadir last season under offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who has since moved on.
The 28-year-old Brown is now widely expected to be traded away from Philadelphia this offseason, with Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots rumored to be the favorites to secure his signature.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was reportedly a notable absentee from A.J. Brown’s wedding
Brown married fiancee Kelsey Riley last week but Hurts and wife Bry Burrow were absent
Brown and Hurts were once considered to be best friends, according to ESPN. The pair have known each other since high school and Hurts is the godfather to Brown’s daughter, Jersee.
However, a source revealed towards the end of the 2024 season that things ‘weren’t good’ between them. At the same time, Eagles icon Brandon Graham speculated that their friendship was on the rocks.
Their on-field relationship has also seemed off and there has been occasions where they have connected for a touchdown but not celebrated or addressed each other.
Despite that, Hurts said in January that he and Brown ‘have talked’ and they were ‘in a great place’ after the Eagles’ season was ended in the first round of the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers.
However, even though they apparently cleared the air, there was no sign of Hurts and his wife Bryonna at Brown’s wedding.
According to TMZ, guests arrived at the lavish hotel in the afternoon and took their seats for the 5pm ceremony overlooking the ocean. They were greeted by a violinist performing.
Guests were reportedly specifically asked to wear brown to the wedding, while the couple’s son, Arthur Juan, was given a stirring reception as he made his way down the aisle.
On offer were mini lobster rolls and mini tacos, with no expense spared on the catering for the wedding party to enjoy.
Brown has been frustrated by Hurts and the Eagles offense and now looks likely to leave
Security is claimed to have been particular tight, with a number of walkways blocked off and guards patrolling the property throughout the celebrations.
Riley, a 28-year-old graduate of Texas State, is believed to have been with Brown since 2022 – his first season with the Eagles.
The couple share a three-year-old son together, Arthur Juan Brown Jr., while Brown is also the father of daughter Jersee, who was born in May of 2020.
The wedding could be the first major event for the family during this NFL offseason because Brown, who in April 2024 signed a three-year, $96m extension with the Eagles, has been linked with a move away in recent months.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter last month, talks between the Eagles and Patriots over the star wide receiver are set to continue around June 1.
That date is critical to talks because June 1 is when the 28-year-old’s $40 million salary cap charge gets split between this and next year.
The Eagles are also believed to have held talks with the Los Angeles Rams over a deal for Brown, but they didn’t lead to anything.
After joining from Tennessee in 2022, Brown won the Super Bowl with the Eagles at the end of the 2024 season with Hurts as his quarterback.