'Just enjoy us both'. Why AJ Brown bristled at fans, media for rivalry with DeVonta Smith

PHILADELPHIA − Maybe A.J. Brown saw a poll on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that asked fans which Eagles receiver is better, him or DeVonta Smith.

Or maybe Brown, the Eagles' star receiver who set a franchise record last season with 1,496 receiving yards, was scrolling through his social media sites and came across someone comparing him to Smith.

But a rudimentary search would indicate that no such controversy exists, at least not to the extent in Brown's mind.

So there was Brown on Monday, asked to respond to cornerback Darius Slay's comments from two weeks ago, when Slay said "Ain’t gonna be too much longer before we’re saying Smitty is the best receiver in the league for sure."

Brown wasn't exactly jumping out of his seat to agree with Slay. Nor should he, considering that Brown sees himself as a top receiver.

"I think Slay is just supporting his teammate," Brown said. "Everybody knows DeVonta is a really good player. I think he’s giving DeVonta his flowers. I think also, that’s his opinion. I’m excited for this season, for the both of us. It’s not no competition for none of us.

"Honestly, I wish the fans would stop trying to choose, and just enjoy both of us while they have both of us."

Smith definitely deserves "his flowers." Smith had 1,196 yards receiving last season as he and Brown became the first receiving duo in Eagles history to each surpass 1,000 yards in a season.

But don't mistake Brown's comments for a Terrell Owens diva-like stunt to divide the Eagles or show his dissatisfaction with his standing on the team, or even latent jealousy over Smith's success.

Rather, Brown could very well be using this to motivate himself. And we do know that Brown is driven to be the best, much like Smith. Brown has talked about working this offseason on his speed in and out of breaks, about how he wants to hit 23 mph while running, and how he can improve every aspect of his game.

Brown was then asked a follow-up question if he feels that fans are "picking between Team AJ and Team DeVonta." His response, again, could be seen as self-motivation for both he and Smith to be even greater.

"Sometimes you see it," Brown said. "And I have seen reporters asking each of us questions. I don’t think you should do that. I think you should just enjoy both of us. It’s not about me and DeVonta. We’re great together. We complement off each other really well. Like I said, that’s another Wide Receiver 1 on this side of me."

Here's more context:

Brown and Smith talk often, about route-running, late hands, cornerbacks, and pretty much anything that helps both of them.

When asked what Brown takes from Smith's game, he responded: "We always trying to pour light into each other, and speak about routes and stuff. I’d definitely say the routes (Smith) runs and how cleanly he runs them. I’m definitely always trying to learn something. I’ll learn from anybody. I’m a student of the game. It doesn’t matter who runs the route. But everybody knows that DeVonta is slippery. He runs really clean routes."

Smith was asked on Sunday what he takes from Brown's game.

"I would say ... using your hands at the line of scrimmage, using late hands, catching passes over the shoulder," Smith said.

Are he and Brown competitive?

"I wouldn't say we are competitive," Smith said. "I would say we are stacking up against each other. We both go out there excited for one another. If one makes a play, the other is like 'I gotta be right there with ya. I can't have you out here, playing by yourself and doing it all. I need to get in on the action.'"

That makes each of them better.

In the season opener last season, Brown had 155 yards receiving while Smith was held without a catch for the only time in his career. After the game, Brown said this: "We know we have weapons on offense, and it was my day. Next week it could be DeVonta’s day or Dallas’ (Goedert) day."

Sure enough, two weeks later, it was Smith's day. He had a career-high 169 yards receiving in a 24-8 win over the Commanders. So yes, there is room in the Eagles' offense for three top receivers, including Goedert. Brown knows this as well as anyone. So does Slay.

Here's the rest of Slay's quote, where he gives Brown his share of "flowers" too:

"We're gonna have the two best (receivers) for sure," Slay said. "And with AJ pushing (Smith), he learns so much from AJ doing this, doing that. It’s destined for (Smith) to be like who he needs to be. AJ is doing a great job leading him because AJ is by far elite as hell. So (Smith) has got a good thing going for him."

So there's no need for anyone to choose between Brown and Smith because both statements are true − Smith can one day be "the best receiver in the league," and Brown is already "by far elite as hell."

It's just that Brown, who's 26, wants to stay that way as long as he can.

Asked if he's in his prime, Brown replied: "Nah, I don't think so. I think I’m still getting started, man. I’m still growing."

Haason Reddick says he'll play Week 1

Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick had thumb surgery three weeks ago and said he'll be ready for the Eagles' opener on Sept. 10. Reddick returned to practice this week, presumably on a limited basis. He said he'll wear some type of protection over his hand during games to protect his thumb.

Reddick was second in the NFL with 16 sacks last season.

"I do feel like I’m in shape, conditioned," Reddick said. "It’s just going to be about adapting now. It’s not that big of an issue. To me, it’s a thumb. Wrap it up. Get back out there and play ball."

Eagles sign a suspended cornerback

The Eagles signed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers on Monday, but Rodgers can't play for the Eagles until 2024. Rodgers is serving a season-long suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy. The Indianapolis Colts released Rodgers when the suspension was announced.

Contact Martin Frank mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Is AJ Brown in a rivalry with DeVonta Smith over who's Eagles' best WR?