A.J. Brown warns Eagles after replacing OC Kellen Moore with Kevin Patullo

Shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX earlier this month, Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore left the club to become head coach of the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles quickly responded to that loss by promoting passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo to Moore’s former role. 

During a Thursday appearance on NFL Network’s “The Insiders” program, Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown spoke openly about what Patullo and the rest of the offense must do to help Philadelphia in its attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions. 

“For our fans, they need to understand everything has to change,” Brown explained, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL’s website. “I know we just won, but it has to change. We have to get better, and we have to do things different. But I truly feel like it’s a great hire. [Patullo] already has been involved in almost everything. Him, Kellen and [head coach Nick Sirianni] basically called the plays already. So, it’s a great hire and he’s already familiar with us. We have a great relationship, and he knows what we need to work on because he’s been there, and he’s been there for a while, and like I said, he’s already been a part of all the situations and the conversations and everything.”

The 2024 Eagles entered their Week 5 bye at 2-2 but then won 16 of 17 games through Super Bowl Sunday. Thus, it’s easy to forget that at least Brown wasn’t thrilled with the state of the Philadelphia passing attack in December. Even before then, some analysts suggested that quarterback Jalen Hurts was essentially a passenger as part of an offense carried by star running back and recently-crowned Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley. 

While Hurts failed to reach 135 passing yards in the Eagles’ first two playoff wins, he rushed for three touchdowns and delivered a score through the air in Philadelphia’s 55-23 thrashing of the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. Hurts then passed for two touchdowns and added a score on the ground en route to earning Super Bowl LIX Most Valuable Player Award honors. 

Despite all that went right for the Eagles when it mattered the most this winter, Brown understands that Patullo will need to ensure that the team’s offensive players work to improve from the start of organized team activities through summer practice sessions. 

“It has to change,” Brown continued. “It has to evolve. I don’t know what wrinkles would look like, but we have to find ways to get better, you know? It’s a lot of fame out there on us — we just won — and guys are gonna be coming at us. We’re not the hunting anymore, we’re the hunted, and we have to get better.”

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Eagles as the betting favorites at +650 odds to win Super Bowl LX next February. How Patullo responds to Brown’s challenge may determine if Philadelphia builds upon all it achieved this season.