Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Receives New Wide Receiver After A.J. Brown Trade
For the first time since 2022, Jalen Hurts will take the field without A.J. Brown on his side. The Eagles traded Brown to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, ending a four-season partnership that included four straight 1,000-yard seasons from Brown and a Super Bowl title in 2025.
With Brown gone, DeVonta Smith is expected to take over as the Eagles' No. 1 wide receiver. General manager Howie Roseman also moved aggressively ahead of time to offset the loss, signing Hollywood Brown to a one-year deal, trading for Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers and using a first-round pick to select USC wideout Makai Lemon in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Eagles also have Elijah Moore, Samori Toure, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Quez Watkins, Danny Gray, and Darius Cooper on the roster.
On Monday, the front office added one more name to that group. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Eagles have signed UFL wide receiver Erik Ezukanma. Ezukanma is a former fourth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, selected 125th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech.
Ezukanma led Texas Tech in receiving yards for three consecutive seasons but struggled to carve out a role at the pro level. He dealt with injuries in each of his three NFL seasons with Miami, totaling just five regular-season appearances and one career reception; a three-yard catch as a rookie.
The #Eagles have signed UFL WR, Erik Ezukanma, per me and @TomPelissero. A former 4th round pick of the #Dolphins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 16, 2026
After stints on the Dolphins practice squad and a brief stop with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025, he signed with the DC Defenders of the UFL in February 2026. He showed flashes in the UFL season, going 2-for-2 for 77 yards in a Week 5 win over the Birmingham Stallions and serving as a kick returner throughout the campaign. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Ezukanma is a former First-Team All-Big 12 selection with the size and speed to compete for a roster spot. He projects as a camp body with practice squad upside.
With these pieces, Hurts will be hoping to bounce back in 2026 after a drop in production last season. His yards per attempt (7.1) and completion percentage (64.8%) both hit career lows in 2025, and the Eagles fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after the season.
New play-caller Sean Mannion is expected to attack the middle of the field more frequently, an area Hurts rarely targeted a year ago. Entering 2026, Hurts has thrown for 17,891 yards with 110 touchdowns against 45 interceptions for his career, adding 42 rushing touchdowns on the ground.
Philadelphia opens the 2026 season at home against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, September 13, at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.
The NFC East rivalry game at Lincoln Financial Field will be an early litmus test for a new-look receiving corps and a quarterback with plenty to prove.
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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 7:46 AM.