Cooper DeJean pushes back on the ongoing A.J. Brown criticism

The outside noise hasn’t stopped. Inside the building, the message hasn’t changed. A.J. Brown is still a member of the Philadelphia Eagles' roster. He continues to express public adoration. He does so of the city he plays in and the organization he plays for. The respect has been bilateral. No one who knows A.J. Brown personally has one sour thing to say about him.

Yet still, it seems his time in the City of Brotherly Love as a member of the Eagles is over. The expectation is he'll be dealt to the New England Patriots for draft compensation. Criticism has followed the controversial wide receiver throughout the process. Some of it is unwarranted. One of his teammates and close friends made it clear where he stands.

Cooper DeJean didn’t hesitate to defend his friend, pushing back against the narrative that continues to surround one of Philadelphia’s most important offensive weapons. That matters. As usual, the perspective of a great teammate is seen differently from those who actually know him.

Cooper DeJean backs A.J. Brown, and here is why that is important.

From the outside looking in, the conversations often focus on headlines, trade rumors, sideline moments, and speculation that seems to take on a life of its own. Inside the locker room, it’s different. Players see the work. They see the preparation. They understand what a teammate brings beyond what’s discussed publicly. That perspective doesn’t always make it to the surface, but when it does, it carries weight.

DeJean’s support of A.J. Brown wasn’t loud or theatrical. It didn’t need to be. It’s easy for narratives to build when they aren’t challenged. That’s what makes moments like this important. A fan favorite recently spoke with NBC Sports' John Clark and restated the glowing praise that seemingly always lands on who Brown is as a person.

His words shouldn't be glossed over. They should be taken seriously. When a young player speaks up for a veteran, it reinforces something bigger than any single storyline. It reinforces trust. It reinforces culture, and it reminds everyone that what’s said outside the building doesn’t always reflect what’s happening inside it.