The Philadelphia Eagles are riding high on an impressive 4-0 start to the 2025 NFL season, giving fans everywhere reason to believe in a brilliant championship run. However, beneath the gleaming veneer of victory, an undercurrent of instability and trade speculation has begun to surface, revolving specifically around star wide receiver AJ Brown. Cryptic social media posts and growing concerns about the offense’s lack of synchrony are forcing many to ask: Are the Eagles genuinely solid, or is a storm brewing just waiting to strike?

The Big Picture: “Fluky” Wins and the Synchronization Challenge

Football analyst Chase Senior from “Eagles Now by Chat Sports” has highlighted a notable point: while the Eagles are 4-0, many of their victories have been somewhat “fluky”—that is, lucky, and not entirely based on dominant play. This is a worrying echo of the 2023 season, where the Eagles also stormed to a 10-1 start before collapsing. Senior questions the root cause of the offense’s lack of cohesion and execution, wondering if it stems from an ineffective offseason prep, lingering injuries, or the absence of preseason games to build necessary chemistry.

Preparing for an NFL season after a Super Bowl run is a monumental challenge. The league’s relentless schedule has effectively turned football into an 11-month sport. Following the Super Bowl in early February, teams have a very short window to breathe before diving into the Combine, then free agency, the Draft, mini-camps, and finally, the official training camp in late July. For a team that went the distance, the time for recovery and preparation for the new season is incredibly limited, often just a month from late June to early July. This could explain why the Eagles appear to be playing catch-up and haven’t hit their peak form yet.

A Struggling Offense, A Standout Defense

Adding to the complexity, the Eagles, under coach Nick Sirianni, have skipped preseason games. Instead, they use the first month of the regular season as their “preseason,” a period for probing, finding their identity, and making in-season adjustments. This strategy can lead to early-season inconsistency, even though they have shown a remarkable talent for winning close games late.

Another critical factor is the change at offensive coordinator. Kevin Patullo has taken over the play-calling duties. While the Eagles run a similar scheme, Patullo has a different vision, process, and “flow” to the game compared to his predecessor, Kellen Moore. The fact that this is Patullo’s first time in the role also contributes to the offense’s occasional lack of rhythm.

While the offense searches for its footing, the Eagles’ defense is shining. Jordan Mailata has been praised as one of the best left tackles in the league. However, the player who has most impressed Senior is linebacker Jihaad Campbell. With All-Pro potential, Campbell has demonstrated exceptional ability in run-stopping, pressuring the quarterback, and pass coverage. Alongside Zack Baun, he has formed one of the best linebacker duos in the league. The emergence of young talents like Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis is transforming the Eagles into one of the most formidable defensive units in the NFL. This is a stark contrast to 2023, when the defensive roster had several underperforming players.

Penalties, Conservative Mindsets, and Lessons from the Past

Another issue plaguing the Eagles is penalties. While not considered a “sloppy” team, unnecessary penalties, particularly unsportsmanlike conduct fouls for taunting, have hurt them. Although the NFL is cracking down on such behavior, Senior argues it’s a natural part of the game’s intensity and emotion. Players pour their blood, sweat, and tears onto the field, and allowing them some room to celebrate is essential. Nevertheless, playing within the rules remains a non-negotiable.

Strategically, Coach Nick Sirianni tends to be conservative, especially when the team has a positive turnover margin. The Eagles have an excellent record when winning the turnover battle, showing they believe their talent and execution will eventually wear down opponents for a late-game victory. While this strategy has been effective under Sirianni and Jalen Hurts, many fans wish the offense would display more aggression and killer instinct, especially after impressive first halves like those against the Rams and Buccaneers.

AJ Brown: The Volatile Star and the Blockbuster Trade Rumor

The most prominent and controversial story revolves around AJ Brown. Following the team’s fourth win, Brown posted a cryptic tweet, believed to be a Bible verse: “If you’re not welcomed not listened to quietly withdraw don’t make a scene shrug your shoulders and be on your way.” Although Brown later took accountability and clarified the tweet wasn’t aimed at anyone on the team, it wasn’t the first time he has created unnecessary drama on social media.

Senior emphasizes that sending emotional messages in moments of frustration rarely ends well. Brown, an intelligent player beloved in the locker room, needs to have better awareness of how such a tweet will explode in a passionate sports city like Philadelphia. It’s a recurring pattern that has become a headache for the organization and its fans. Even when the team is winning, having a key player act out publicly is a poor look.

More significantly, a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed that the Eagles might consider trading AJ Brown—not this season, but possibly in the 2026 offseason. Fowler reported, “Some executives I spoke to this week don’t expect Philadelphia to trade Brown in-season but said it could be something to entertain in the offseason. It’s sort of the worst-kept secret inside the league that Brown’s love-hate relationship with Philly’s passing game bubbles to the surface from time to time. He’s a true competitor and wants to be great, and with that comes emotion and inevitable frustration.”

AJ Brown’s contract carries a massive $90 million dead cap hit if the Eagles decide to trade him. However, Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ general manager, is known as a salary cap “magician” and could potentially soften the financial blow with a post-June 1 trade.

While Brown is an “special” player—an All-Pro in all three seasons since joining in 2022, with over 1,000 yards each year, and a massive contributor to two Super Bowl appearances—fatigue from the constant drama could force the Eagles’ hand. Does the baggage Brown brings outweigh his on-field value? The question becomes whether the Eagles could find another talented receiver who is lower-maintenance, like DeVonta Smith, and avoid the unnecessary distractions.

Senior believes AJ Brown will still be an Eagle in 2026. However, for “Eagles Now,” this remains one of the biggest and most critical storylines to watch in the coming months.

In conclusion, while the Philadelphia Eagles have a promising start to their season, issues with offensive cohesion, penalties, and especially the drama surrounding AJ Brown paint a complex picture. Fans have reason to be concerned, but also to be hopeful that with a stout defense and the coaching staff’s ability to adjust, the Eagles will overcome these challenges on their path to the Super Bowl. But can AJ Brown control his emotions and stay off social media, or will the trade rumors eventually become reality? Only time will tell.