Sports
Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson has stepped forward to defend Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who has found himself under heavy scrutiny early in the 2025 NFL season.
Despite the team’s undefeated 4-0 start, Brown’s personal numbers haven’t lived up to expectations, recording only 14 receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown through four games. His latest outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers raised further concerns, where he managed just two catches for seven yards on nine targets.
Eagles security guard goes viral after double take at DeVonta Smith’s fiancée
Speaking on his Nightcap Show with Shannon Sharpe, Ochocinco expressed frustration with how quickly fans and media turn on elite players when the stat sheet doesn’t reflect their capabilities.
“Do you understand what that does to players mentally?” he asked, emphasizing that even though the team is winning, players like Brown want to contribute in meaningful ways.
“Not only am I the No. 1 wide receiver,” Brown has said previously, “but I am the captain of the team for a reason. Allow me to be part of the offense.” This aligns with Ochocinco’s sentiment that someone earning $33 million and serving as a leader should be more integrated into the offensive game plan.
Balancing expectations and team cohesion
Brown has a track record that makes the current dip even more puzzling. In 2024, he totaled 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns, playing a key role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning campaign.
In 2023, he logged 1,456 yards and seven scores, following a breakout 2022 season with 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns. That consistency made him the cornerstone of Philadelphia’s aerial attack.
However, this season has been different. Brown’s emotional connection to the game has drawn criticism before, especially after he was seen reading Inner Excellence on the sidelines during a playoff game. Many took it as a sign of disinterest, but Brown later clarified it helps him reset mentally.
Drawing from his journalism studies in college, he’s spoken candidly about how narratives can be twisted by the media, saying, “I know all about propaganda.”
Off the field, questions about his relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts have surfaced again. Brown acknowledged their occasional friction, describing them as “two alphas” who challenge each other in the pursuit of greatness.
While this competitive fire can fuel success, former Eagles veteran Brandon Graham has urged Brown to separate personal feelings from professional responsibilities to maintain team chemistry.
Ochocinco’s comments bring to light the psychological aspect of the game that’s often overlooked. It’s not always about raw numbers. For star players like Brown, it’s about feeling respected, valued, and utilized properly.
If the Eagles’ coaching staff can recalibrate the offense and involve Brown more consistently, they may be able to quiet critics and maintain their momentum. After all, even on a winning team, underutilizing your most dynamic weapon can lead to bigger problems down the road.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Teoscar Hernández’s Late HR Lifts Dodgers to NLDS Game 1 Win Over Phillies
Teoscar Hernandez rallied the Dodgers with a three-run homer in the seventh inning that bailed out Shohei Ohtani, both on the mound and at the plate, and led Los Angeles to a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Saturday night.Ohtani struck out four straight times at the plate, the final time in the seventh with no outs and two runners on against Matt Strahm.No worries, at least for the reigning World Series champions.Following a Mookie Betts popout, Hernández silenced a roaring Phillies crowd with an opposite-field drive to right off Strahm for a 5-3 lead. The veteran slugger gestured in wild celebration in his trot around the bases.His hat off, Ohtani rose from his dugout seat to join in the fun, and exhale once he was on track for the win.A […]
Who is Jerry Neuheisel? Meet UCLA’s Offensive Playcaller Who Stunned Penn State
In one of the biggest college football upsets in recent memory, unranked UCLA stunned No. 7 Penn State, 42-37, leaving much of the nation asking: Who is Jerry Neuheisel?The Bruins' offensive coordinator — with sun-bleached blond hair and bounding energy on the sideline — was carried off the field after helping the Bruins tame the Nittany Lions, becoming the first 0-4 team to beat a top-10 opponent in 40 years. UCLA offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel calls a play late in the game against Penn State. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) <!--> -->"That's a really, really good team, and we had to play our very best to have a chance to win," Neuheisel said. "And today, we had our very best."Considering the Bruins hadn't led in a game all season, describing Saturday's effort as their "very best" […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Dodgers stun Phillies behind Teoscar Hernández 3-run homer
For a good while, Citizens Bank Park got what it wanted. The Phillies struck for three runs in the second inning against Shohei Ohtani making his postseason pitching debut, and Cy Young candidate Cristopher Sánchez shut down a dangerous lineup for nearly six innings.Then Teoscar Hernández turned the game around with one swing.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter opening the game with three strikeouts in three at-bats and a bad misplay in that three-run second inning, the Dodgers' slugger gave his team the lead with a three-run homer in the seventh inning of a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the NLDS.Ohtani's start and Hernández's homer were two major components of the victory. The third was the Dodgers' bullpen keeping it together for three innings after an extraordinarily shaky wild-card series. The unit got some help from Tyler Glasnow, scheduled to start Game 4 for […]
‘It Looked Ugly’: MLB On FOX Crew React to Yankees After Blue Jays’ Big Win
It wasn't the prettiest of games for the New York Yankees. In fact, it was the opposite."It looked ugly, looked very ugly," FOX Sports analyst and Yankees legend Derek Jeter said after the 10-1 loss in Game 1 of the American League Division Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.Blue Jays DOMINATE Yankees: ‘It looked ugly’ – Derek Jeter, ‘MLB on FOX’ crew react to ALDS Game 1 <!--> The "MLB on FOX" crew reacted and broke down the Toronto Blue Jays' 10-1 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS.Yankees pitcher Luis Gil lasted just over two innings while giving up solo shots to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk, who finished with two homers on the night. The AL East champion Blue Jays had 14 hits to snap a seven-game playoff losing streak.--> ADVERTISEMENT "For the […]
In a duel of QBs, Alabama’s Ty Simpson trumped Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and made his own Heisman statement
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Here was Ty Simpson, the victorious quarterback, surrounded by cameras near the 50-yard line at Bryant-Denny Stadium as he conducted his postgame interview with ESPN. Then, a man in a backward cap, sunglasses and a black jersey bearing the name of Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia approached and offered a fist bump.“Good game, brother,” said Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner who knows a thing or two about pulling an upset in this place.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementManziel and Pavia may be kindred spirits in stature, swagger and making magic out of nothing on a football field, but No. 10 Alabama’s 30-14 victory over No. 16 Vanderbilt was the kind of game that showed why the original is always better than the replica.For the past week in Nashville, trash was talked. Shots were called. But in the end, only Simpson emerged as […]
Kevin Gausman on facing Aaron Judge, Blue Jays’ Game 1 win & more 🏆 | King of the Diamond
Major League Baseball Video Details John Smoltz sat down with Kevin Gausman to discuss the Toronto Blue Jays' commanding Game 1 win over the New York Yankees, facing Aaron Judge with the bases loaded and more. Sponsored by @bmwusa #BMWCertified #BMWPreOwned 43 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・3:34
Related
Teoscar Hernández’s Late HR Lifts Dodgers to NLDS Game 1 Win Over Phillies
Teoscar Hernandez rallied the Dodgers with a three-run homer in the seventh inning that bailed out Shohei Ohtani, both on the mound and at the plate, and led Los Angeles to a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Saturday night.Ohtani struck out four straight times at the plate, the final time in the seventh with no outs and two runners on against Matt Strahm.No worries, at least for the reigning World Series champions.Following a Mookie Betts popout, Hernández silenced a roaring Phillies crowd with an opposite-field drive to right off Strahm for a 5-3 lead. The veteran slugger gestured in wild celebration in his trot around the bases.His hat off, Ohtani rose from his dugout seat to join in the fun, and exhale once he was on track for the win.A […]
Who is Jerry Neuheisel? Meet UCLA’s Offensive Playcaller Who Stunned Penn State
In one of the biggest college football upsets in recent memory, unranked UCLA stunned No. 7 Penn State, 42-37, leaving much of the nation asking: Who is Jerry Neuheisel?The Bruins' offensive coordinator — with sun-bleached blond hair and bounding energy on the sideline — was carried off the field after helping the Bruins tame the Nittany Lions, becoming the first 0-4 team to beat a top-10 opponent in 40 years. UCLA offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel calls a play late in the game against Penn State. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) <!--> -->"That's a really, really good team, and we had to play our very best to have a chance to win," Neuheisel said. "And today, we had our very best."Considering the Bruins hadn't led in a game all season, describing Saturday's effort as their "very best" […]
MLB playoffs 2025: Dodgers stun Phillies behind Teoscar Hernández 3-run homer
For a good while, Citizens Bank Park got what it wanted. The Phillies struck for three runs in the second inning against Shohei Ohtani making his postseason pitching debut, and Cy Young candidate Cristopher Sánchez shut down a dangerous lineup for nearly six innings.Then Teoscar Hernández turned the game around with one swing.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter opening the game with three strikeouts in three at-bats and a bad misplay in that three-run second inning, the Dodgers' slugger gave his team the lead with a three-run homer in the seventh inning of a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the NLDS.Ohtani's start and Hernández's homer were two major components of the victory. The third was the Dodgers' bullpen keeping it together for three innings after an extraordinarily shaky wild-card series. The unit got some help from Tyler Glasnow, scheduled to start Game 4 for […]
‘It Looked Ugly’: MLB On FOX Crew React to Yankees After Blue Jays’ Big Win
It wasn't the prettiest of games for the New York Yankees. In fact, it was the opposite."It looked ugly, looked very ugly," FOX Sports analyst and Yankees legend Derek Jeter said after the 10-1 loss in Game 1 of the American League Division Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.Blue Jays DOMINATE Yankees: ‘It looked ugly’ – Derek Jeter, ‘MLB on FOX’ crew react to ALDS Game 1 <!--> The "MLB on FOX" crew reacted and broke down the Toronto Blue Jays' 10-1 win over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS.Yankees pitcher Luis Gil lasted just over two innings while giving up solo shots to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk, who finished with two homers on the night. The AL East champion Blue Jays had 14 hits to snap a seven-game playoff losing streak.--> ADVERTISEMENT "For the […]
In a duel of QBs, Alabama’s Ty Simpson trumped Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and made his own Heisman statement
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Here was Ty Simpson, the victorious quarterback, surrounded by cameras near the 50-yard line at Bryant-Denny Stadium as he conducted his postgame interview with ESPN. Then, a man in a backward cap, sunglasses and a black jersey bearing the name of Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia approached and offered a fist bump.“Good game, brother,” said Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner who knows a thing or two about pulling an upset in this place.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementManziel and Pavia may be kindred spirits in stature, swagger and making magic out of nothing on a football field, but No. 10 Alabama’s 30-14 victory over No. 16 Vanderbilt was the kind of game that showed why the original is always better than the replica.For the past week in Nashville, trash was talked. Shots were called. But in the end, only Simpson emerged as […]
Kevin Gausman on facing Aaron Judge, Blue Jays’ Game 1 win & more 🏆 | King of the Diamond
Major League Baseball Video Details John Smoltz sat down with Kevin Gausman to discuss the Toronto Blue Jays' commanding Game 1 win over the New York Yankees, facing Aaron Judge with the bases loaded and more. Sponsored by @bmwusa #BMWCertified #BMWPreOwned 43 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・3:34
Be the first to leave a comment