The Facts: Hurts has known wide receiver A.J. Brown for a long time. Hurts tried to recruit him to come to the University of Alabama, worked out with him from time to time, and even attended Brown’s birthday party for his daughter Jersee. Each time they had hoped for a chance to play together. After the Eagles made a trade last Thursday to acquire Brown from the Tennessee Titans, Hurts will have a chance to play with his close friend and look to improve the Eagles offense, making it one of the more dynamic units in the league. “I think he’s always been an excellent player,” Hurts said. “Since I’ve known him in college, he always had the ability to make plays with the ball in his hand. He uses his body to box out defenders, and he can break tackles. He’s a great addition to a great receiver room we have now, and I’m excited.”

Diehards Line: Hurts added that he might have “potentially” gone to the front office and said that the team should look into acquiring Brown. ... Hurts finished last season completing 61.3% of his passes for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Hurts also added another 784 yards on the ground and 10 rushing touchdowns, leading to him being named a Pro Bowl alternate. Still, Hurts is looking to solidify himself as the Eagles’ long-term solution at the quarterback position. The Eagles offense finished 25th in the league in passing (200.2 yards per game), Hurts said he once again is blocking out the “rat poison,” eschewing the talk about of what his future is with the team and what is said about him and his future. One of the ways that Hurts feels he could do that next season that will quiet some of the doubts around him and help the offense improve is to regularly play at a high level.