Treylon Burks makes firm statement about A.J. Brown comparisons
The comparisons between Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks and Philadelphia Eagles star WR A.J. Brown are always going to be there. A controversial trade sent Brown to Philadelphia the night of the 2022 NFL Draft for two draft picks, the first of which Tennessee used to select Burks, who was shockingly similar to […]
The comparisons between Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks and Philadelphia Eagles star WR A.J. Brown are always going to be there.
A controversial trade sent Brown to Philadelphia the night of the 2022 NFL Draft for two draft picks, the first of which Tennessee used to select Burks, who was shockingly similar to Brown in size and skillset. That selection forever grouped Brown and Burks together, as fans and analysts debate whether or not the Titans made a massive mistake.
Let's be honest, it's fun to compare. Titans fans are looking for every reason to hate on Brown while the rest of the NFL world continues to clown the Titans and the fanbase over the trade. People embrace debate, especially when two players start their NFL careers in such similar ways.
Treylon's Response
As much fun as it may be to liken Burks to Brown and vice versa, that's a deal for the fans and media to talk about. Not for the players.
When speaking to the media on Wednesday before practice, Burks made one thing clear about the talk regarding him and Brown playing on same the field: He doesn't care!
"Like I said, he's A.J., I'm Treylon. We're two different people. We've both got our differences in our game."
– Titans WR Treylon Burks on comparison to A.J. Brown
The comparisons are never going to go away. Success for both Burks and Brown from here on out will be used as a measuring stick for that trade and the new era of Titans football. But Burks has the best mindset possible regarding the situation.
So much of Burks' growth this season has come from developing a new confidence and swagger about his capabilities in this league. He has begun to figure out the NFL and what it takes to shine. He has a new trust in himself and his coaching staff. He is motivated to be great as Treylon Burks, not as the guy who replaced A.J. Brown.
While Burks needs to be aware that the chatter is going to surround him, he also cannot allow himself to make his NFL journey hinge on the expectations of his fans.
A big game against Philadelphia on Sunday would go a long way towards getting national media recognition and becoming an instant fan-favorite in Nashville, but Burks needs to take it more as an opportunity to continue his growth against the best team in the NFL.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
