Maurice Hurst Suggests Eagles Will Play Browns In Brazil (UPDATED)

A Cleveland Browns player suggested the Eagles could be playing the Browns in their season opener.

The Browns posted a clip to their YouTube page from the Cleveland Browns Daily show today which featured an interview with DT Maruice Hurst. At about 1:49 into the video, Hurst is asked about potential vacation ideas. In response, Hurst suggested Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after providing some unprompted context.

“We’re playing in Brazil this year,” Hurst said. “A little Rio trip out there.”

The general interpretation by fans on social media has been that the Browns will be the Eagles’ opponent in the Eagles’ season opener in São Paulo, Brazil. It could also be interpreted more generally, as in the league is hosting a game in Brazil. The show hosts did not press Hurst on the matter, but instead egged on the Rio commentary, so it was unclear at best which interpretation Hurst meant.

Text messages to NFL and Browns spokespeople sent outside of working hours were not immediately answered by publishing time. An Eagles spokesperson declined comment and referred all scheduling questions to the league.

The league had previously confirmed that the Eagles would host the first ever game in Brazil during a press conference by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, but made no announcement of the Eagles’ opponent at that time.

If Hurst did in fact let it slip that the Eagles and Browns would face off in the season opener, it means that the two teams would face off on Friday, September 6. The Eagles are 17-32-1 all time agains the Browns, but in the last 50 years hold a 7-5 record against the team.

UPDATE 9:56 PM: Hurst took to X/Twitter to walk back his comments.