Devonta Smith Is Worthy Of His Massive 3-Year Extension With Eagles
The Eagles have been busy this offseason. Not just in signing new players, but in making sure they extend their current players. Landon Dickerson, Jake Elliott, and Jordan Mailata were also signed to large extensions. But Devonta Smith was the lone Eagle still waiting for his big payday. Well, he got that this morning.
The Eagles and Devonta Smith agreed to a 3-year, $75 million extension on Monday morning. $51 million of the deal is guaranteed. He will play out his current deal, and then play on his 5th-year option next year before the contract officially begins. That means he is actually here for at least the next 5-seasons, keeping him here through the 2028 season.
Devonta Smith Is Now One Of The Highest-Paid WRs
The deal moves Smith into the top 5 for WRS in terms of average annual value. Only Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, and AJ Brown make more than him. This means the Eagles have 2 wrs in the top 5 of AAV.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 29: DeVonta Smith #6 celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles during a game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on October 29, 2023 in Landover, Maryland.
Though that may last very long. Cee Dee Lamb and Justin Jefferson are still awaiting their new contract like Smith. And they are each in the 4th year of their deal. Once they get paid, it could move 1, or both of the Eagles WRs out of the top 5.
We also don’t know what the true cap hit will be for Smith in each of those years now. When the Eagles signed Saquon Barkley, it looked like he may carry a massive cap hit. In truth, he will only cost the Eagles a little over $9 million against the cap in the next 2 seasons. The Eagles love to tie most of the contract in up-front bonuses, that they can then spread out over many years, lessening the yearly cap hit.
The Eagles keep investing in their offense. They made Dickerson and Mailata among the highest-paid players at their positions. Jalen Hurts is still near the top of the highest-paid QBs. Saquon Barkley, although with a small cap hit, is making more money than most RBs. They were already paying AJ Brown big money, now you can add Smith. It is clear where their priorities lie.
Is Devonta Smith One Of The NFL’s Best WRs?
The question becomes, is he worth it? Did they overpay, or will Devonta Smith live up to this contract?
He eclipsed 1000 yards in each of the past 2 seasons. Since 2022, he is 13th in receiving yards, and 12 in TDS. That is despite being the 2nd WR, and the Eagles passing less than many of the top teams. It is also despite the Eagles’ offensive game plan last season being incredibly flawed.
We have seen Smith is capable of making jaw-dropping catches. on more than one occasion, despite his small stature, he has made acrobatic toe-tapping catches on the sideline in big moments. And despite his size and the fact he has taken some big hits, he has mostly been healthy.
Is he a top 5 WR? maybe not. But that is not how NFL contracts work. If you are a good player, and it is your turn to get paid, you usually set the market. Before this contract begins in 2026, he won’t be top 5, or maybe even the top 10 anymore. All the top WRs who get paid after him will likely make more. The Eagles were smart to work ahead of those other teams. Now they make one of their franchise players happy and get him at less than they would if they made him wait.
The cap will also keep going up. This year it took a massive leap. Paying a player early, even if it seems like an overpay, is generally smart. And by the end of the deal, it is very unlikely we look back on this contract and think it was a mistake or an overpay.
Howie Roseman gets well-deserved credit for moves like this. But it also goes to Jeff Lurie, who is willing to pay out those bonuses to help with the cap situation. You don’t see Jerry Jones do that.
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