Wide receiver DeVonta Smith has agreed to a hefty three-year contract deal worth $75 million (£60 million) with the Philadelphia Eagles, which would keep him with the team through the end of the 2028 campaign.
With this deal, Smith and colleague A.J. Brown will share the fourth-highest salary among NFL wide receivers, taking home a combined $25 million (£20 million) a year. With tight end Dallas Goedert returning for the upcoming season, the Eagles have finally locked up their three top receivers. Smith has proven his worth since joining the Eagles as the 10th overall pick in 2021 and has developed into one of the most reliable and versatile wide receivers in the league, despite not leading the team in receiving more than twice in the previous campaign. Smith has missed just one game since his rookie year and has amassed an amazing 97.2 percent snap share. He has now had two years in a row with 1,000 yards receiving.
He is regarded as a vital component of head coach Nick Sirianni’s scheme. During the Eagles’ disheartening 32-9 loss to Tampa Bay at the close of the season, Smith had one of his best games ever, managing an amazing 148 yards on eight grabs, including a spectacular 55-yard gain.
Sirianni said, “DeVonta [Smith] works extremely hard and earns everything he gets” in the 2023 campaign. He is an expert in every regard. Always ready. Never be afraid to take on a task. adores going to competitions. He’s the ideal football player, in my opinion.”
Following the disastrous season finale of the previous year, the Eagles have strengthened their lineup. The most noteworthy signing is former NFC East rival and two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley’s impressive reputation has been built on hard running and a spectacular burst, but the Eagles also expect Barkley to improve Smith and Brown’s pass-catching skills.
“You also need to be an excellent running back passer. Regarding Barkley, “For us, it has to be multifunctional,” Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie stated in March.
“He exhibited a very special skill set both in the running and the passing game that we think certainly can be maximized by being on a team with better skill positions, quarterbacks, and offensive lines.”
Philadelphia is the only team with two receiver contracts in the top 10; Smith’s large contract, which is allegedly fully guaranteed at $51 million (£40 million), marks the beginning of a difficult decision-making process for the Eagles’ front office.
In 2025, Brown’s cap number rises to $26.8 million, while quarterback Jalen Hurts’ cap number soars to $21.5 million. These are just two of the numerous salary cap snags that will probably force the Eagles to deal away important players soon.
The Eagles are poised to build on their successful start to the previous campaign because of their potent offensive lineup. In a little more than four months, Philadelphia will open their 2024 campaign in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on September 6, taking on the Green Bay Packers.
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