Dan Orlovsky reveals who needs to step up on Eagles after A.J. Brown trade

With the Philadelphia Eagles trading A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots, fans are wondering who the players will be to step up in his absence. While DeVonta Smith will undoubtedly be the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver next season, this NFL analyst reveals the other players who will be instrumental in filling the void.

Dan Orlovsky was speaking on “NFL Live” on ESPN, saying that he sees Philadelphia’s offense going less receivers and more tight ends with a traditional run game for Saquon Barkley. Aside from seeing more time from tight ends Dallas Goedert and rookie Eli Stowers, he also believes that Jalen Hurts will have to play a “different version quarterback-wise” than he’s ever played.

“I think that’s going to be beneficial for everybody,” Hurts said. “Obviously, this offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL. I think it’s going to help them just lean on people…And then Jalen Hurts going under center, playing play-action. I said this, this will be a different version, quarterback-wise, than Jalen Hurts has ever played. Wait, he will have to learn to play quarterback in a completely different way.”

"This will be a different version, quarterback wise, than Jalen Hurts has ever played. He will have to learn to play quarterback in a completely different way."

—@danorlovsky7 on Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' offense following the A.J. Brown trade pic.twitter.com/lHCrYrOu8x

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 2, 2026

Makai Lemon will be crucial as the Eagles are without A.J. Brown

While Orlovsky feels that Smith will be fine as the No. 1 receiver for the Eagles, the one player he’s interested to see the production in is 20th overall pick Makai Lemon, a wide receiver out of USC. He’d say that if Lemon can give Philadelphia solid numbers next season, the absence of Brown may not be drastic.

“I don’t expect Puka Nacua, 105 catches, 1,500 yards, but Jayden Reed in Green Bay, 65 catches. I think Makai Lemon can do that. If you think about Brandon Aiuyk in San Francisco, his rookie year, 60 catches, both of them about 750 yards, and five touchdowns. If Makai Lemon can give this Eagles offense that, I think this Eagles offense, I’m not being disrespectful to AJ, I think this Eagles offense can settle in fine over the course of the season,” Orlovsky said.

At any rate, it remains to be seen how the Eagles fare without Brown.

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