Eagles Forget WRs Exist in Win Over Bucs

What They're Saying

Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice: "I don't think I'm going out on a limb in suggesting that the receivers are frustrated with the offense through the first four games."

Quote that A.J. Brown posted on X two hours after the game: "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

It's tough to decipher any specific meaning from Brown's post, and probably not worth delving deeply into. It's not the first time he's gone emo after a quiet stat line, and Brown's public complaints in the past have often preceded more focused usage.

Kempski also said that Smith "did not speak" in the locker room after Sunday's win. That seems more abnormal.

The Eagles are four games into Kevin Patullo's first offensive coordinator gig at any level, so an adjustment period shouldn't surprise. But he also spent the previous four years as Philly's pass-game coordinator. And Patullo spent three years before that working under Nick Sirianni on the Colts staff, when Sirianni served as OC.

Patullo spent two years as WRs coach there, and the third as pass game specialist. He also previously coached QBs for the Jets and WRs in Buffalo and Tennessee. And Patullo even played both QB and WR at South Florida.

So the OC's in his eighth year with Sirianni, fifth with Jalen Hurts and Smith, and fourth with Smith and Brown on the same team. And he's got extensive passing-game training and experience. All of that makes it more alarming that Philly's passing has looked so disjointed through the season's first month.

It's easy to say the WRs are being babies and should be happy the team's 4-0. But there probably aren't too many undefeated fantasy managers who drafted Brown and/or Smith.

What Should We Do from Here?

Brown's target counts from the past three games are at least a little encouraging. That alone says you should try to stay patient, though a Week 5 home date with the Broncos presents him with the toughest coverage challenge yet (CB Pat Surtain II).

This will be the pair's first meeting. Fortunately for Brown, Surtain arrives working on a career-low Pro Football Focus coverage grade and the second-highest passer rating allowed (89.3) of his career, pending his Monday night game against Cincinnati.

Smith leads Brown by 3 catches and 7 yards this season but trails him by eight targets. Smith's also working on career lows in average depth of target, yards after catch per reception, and yards per route.

He looks like a WR3-level option at best right now -- albeit a still-efficient catcher still capable of delivering a worthwhile line on limited target volume.