By admin 
The Philadelphia Eagles won’t see A.J. Brown on the field until 2027 – barring a surprising matchup in their second preseason game or a meeting in Super Bowl LXI – but Cooper DeJean is ready to take on his former teammate.
Read more Insider Projects Red Sox to Land Hunter Goodman in Trade Deadline Blockbuster
The Eagles safety and slot cornerback spoke candidly about wanting to go against Brown while participating on a panel at Fanatics Fest in New York on Sunday.
DeJean and Brown, of course, won Super Bowl LIX together, with each scoring a second-quarter touchdown in Philadelphia’s 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
But Brown and the Eagles parted ways when they shipped him up to New England June 1 for two picks, including a 2028 first-rounder.
Cooper DeJean is Ready to Face A.J. Brown
DeJean is working on taking over for since-departed safety Reed Blankenship, in addition to his duties at slot corner, and will have his hands full defending some of the elite wideouts in both the NFC and league writ large.
But DeJean opened the door to the challenge of defending his ex-teammate, while participating in a panel with Blankenship, and moderated by former Patriots wideout Julian Edelman at the Jacob Javits Center on Sunday.
“I’ve only gone against him a handful of times in practice,” DeJean said. “I would love to go against him. I know he’d love to go against us too so it’d be a fun battle.”
Read more Ex-Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell arrested in Canton, Ohio
The Eagles and Patriots are about to meet Aug. 22 in Foxborough, but Brown has only played in three preseason games in his career and hasn’t dressed for one since his first year in Philadelphia, 2022.
So the only opportunity for DeJean to match up against Brown would be at SoFi Stadium on Valentine’s Day.
Cooper DeJean: The Eagles Are ‘Going to Miss’ A.J. Brown
Much has been made about how the Eagles offense will go on without the three-time Pro Bowl wideout. But DeJean made sure to pay homage to his ex-teammate.
“It’s been a little quiet around the locker room without him around,” DeJean joked. “We’re going to miss him.”
Brown got married while still a member of the Eagles and is the unequivocal No. 1 receiver in New England for quarterback Drake Maye. Eagles fans may be ready to give Brown their worst, but DeJean holds no hard feelings.
“He got his money. I’m happy for him,” DeJean said. “He’s got a baby now, he’s married, he’s grown up so he’s leaving the nest.”
Read more Coral reef presumed dead for 60 years found alive off Africa
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published July 20, 2026 at 8:17 AM.