The Philadelphia Eagles’ 2023 season ended in a historic collapse; losing 5 out of their last 6 games after racing ahead to a league-best 10-1 record to start the season after a narrow Super Bowl LVII defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs; yet it seems that the feeling at Lincoln Financial Field – is that of hope.
The Philadelphia Eagles Looking To Get Back On Track After 2023 Collapse
Whilst the Eagles lost future Hall of Fame center, Jason Kelce, to retirement, and traded star pass rusher, Haason Reddick, to the New York Jets, they still managed to make big moves in free agency, signing 2 x Pro Bowler and once Offensive Rookie of the Year, Saquon Barkley to a 3 year, $37.75 million deal, former All-Pro linebacker, Devin White, and highly productive edge, Bryce Huff.
And after a re-jigging of both their offensive and defensive coaching leadership, bringing in legendary defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, it is safe to say that Philly fans are feeling good about their prospects for the 2024 season, especially now with a fully healthy Jalen Hurts.
Now, it seems like the Birds have yet another reason to celebrate, as former 12th overall pick and stud wideout, DeVonta Smith, is being locked into an extension that keeps him in Philadelphia through the 2028 season, per Ian Rapoport.
The #Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed, sources say.
The deal was done by @kelt_crenshaw of @KlutchSports, and it keeps Smith in PHI for years to come. 💰 💰 💰 pic.twitter.com/hsBXWx30MH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2024
DeVonta Smith Gets His Pay Day Ahead Of 5th Year Option
DeVonta Smith’s $25/million per year on his extension puts him level with lead receiver on the Eagles, AJ Brown.
Although Brown is considered quarterback, Jalen Hurts’ #1 target, and is generally perceived to be the slightly better player, it is important to not underestimate Smith’s importance to the team. Smith has put up back-to-back 1,000 yard + seasons in the NFL, and has never amassed fewer than 900, despite having only just turned 25 this past November.
The combination of Smith and Brown forces opposing defenses to pick their poison on every play; double cover one and leave the other on a one-on-one matchup, and most of the time, both Brown and Smith are more than capable of beating 1 v 1 coverage.
This lethal 1-2 sucker punch evidently garners vast importance to the Eagles’ offensive operations, and as such why we have seen Smith been paid ahead of other older, traditionally bigger names who are set for a large cheque in the very near future, as Ari Meirov points out.
This is what the #Eagles do: Philadelphia is proactive, recognizing that Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and others are due for huge WR contracts. They move quickly and secure a deal with DeVonta Smith before the market… https://t.co/OlkJCg8egh
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 15, 2024
Another smart move by ultra-sharp general manager, Howie Roseman: offering a reasonable, generous, but not crazy contract to a roster centerpiece, knowing full well that in the next 6-12 months, this contract could very well look like an incredible bargain.
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