AJ Brown is not one to shy away from speaking his mind! And that’s exactly what he did. Many Eagles players lamented the fact that OC Brian Johnson would not be with the team anymore. But not Brown. Of course, he wasn’t happy about the fact. But according to him, it was a necessary evil.
The Brian Johnson era in Philadelphia has officially concluded. And the Eagles wasted no time in finding a replacement. They swiftly brought in Kellen Moore. He was the OC for the Cowboys and Chargers, to fill the same position. So, what were Brown’s hard-hitting words?
AJ Brown speaks the hard truth
As the offseason unfolds, players are chiming in with reactions. And A.J. Brown offers some valuable insights on Brian Johnson’s departure. He was recently chatting with Rob Maaddi from the Associated Press. Here’s how Brown feels about Johnson’s departure. He said that “somebody has to be the bad guy” when things don’t go well. He also stressed that he doesn’t get too attached to OCs. The Eagles had struggled to execute crucial plays in critical moments. This was probably the major reason why he was let go.
A.J. Brown on Eagles firing Brian Johnson: "Somebody has to be the bad guy." https://t.co/8mKQKAgQTx
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 3, 2024
He had been with the team since 2021. Initially, he played the role of quarterback coach. Then he stepped in after Shane Steichen, the former OC, left for the head coach position in Indianapolis. He only got promoted last offseason but is now replaced by his former assistant QB coach, Alex Tanney.
Johnson’s coaching journey includes stops at Florida, Houston, Mississippi State, and Utah. So, what’s next on the cards for him?
Brian Johnson to move to the Browns?
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The Cleveland Browns are on the hunt for a new offensive leader. And Johnson is on their interview list. Johnson’s departure from the Eagles after a brief stint raised eyebrows. Especially given his reputation as a rising young coach. But now if he joins the Browns, maybe he can help solve their QB woes. However, the Browns aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. Alongside Johnson, they’ve interviewed Ken Dorsey, recently let go by the Buffalo Bills mid-season.
Cleveland had been on the lookout for someone to step into the shoes of Alex Van Pelt. He actually had an impressive NFL career spanning 29 seasons. 20 of them were as an assistant coach. During his time in Cleveland, the offense flourished. They ended up tallying 408 points in the 2020 season. The second-highest in team history. Additionally, the running game consistently ranked in the top 10 during his four seasons on staff.
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Then why was he let go? The team explored the option of reassignment of roles on the coaching staff with Van Pelt, as revealed by multiple team sources. However, after discussions, both parties mutually agreed to part ways. So, can Johnson be the end to their woes?
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