DeVonta Smith shares thoughts on WRs getting larger contracts since his deal

In traditional fashion, the Eagles signed star WR DeVonta Smith to a big-money extension before the market ballooned to extraordinary figures.

Philadelphia inked Smith to a three-year, $75M deal in April, getting ahead of the monster deals that will eventually come to Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, Brandon Aiyuk, etc.

Jefferson received his record-breaking extension this week, agreeing to a four-year deal worth $140M, including $110M guaranteed. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.

Breaking: The Vikings and Justin Jefferson reached an agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, sources tell @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/yG9FMyIWRD

— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2024

Jefferson’s contract has effectively reset the market for wide receivers and set a new benchmark moving forward.

Former Eagles executive Joe Banner recently criticized DeVonta Smith’s agent for allowing his client to sign a new deal so soon rather than wait out the market and get more money.

"Devonta Smith should fire his agent unless he overruled the agent's advice. He completely misread where market was headed." 😳

— @JoeBanner13 pic.twitter.com/U0kNh5TOSc

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) June 3, 2024

Ahead of the Eagles’ first mandatory minicamp practice, Smith stated he has no regrets about signing his contract when he did.

“You can’t be counting the pockets of others. I’m where I want to be,” Smith said. “This is where I wanted to be. At the end of the day, it’s life-changing for me.”

Despite these contracts, DeVonta Smith is still the NFL’s eighth highest-paid receiver, with teammate A.J. Brown slotted right behind Jefferson.

• Justin Jefferson — $35/year
• A.J. Brown — $32M/year
• Amon-Ra St. Brown — $30M/year
• Tyreek Hill — $30M/year
• Jaylen Waddle — $28.25M/year
• Davante Adams — $28M/year
• Cooper Kupp — $26.7M/year
• DeVonta Smith — $25M/year
• D.K. Metcalf — $24M/year
• Deebo Samuel — $23.9M/year

Since being drafted No. 10 overall in 2021, Smith has become a premier player at his position, recording the most receiving yards of any player in their first three seasons in Eagles history (3,178).

Smith and his agent were well aware of the market’s direction and agreed to a deal that would benefit his family and the team’s immediate future. If he continues to produce at an elite level, Smith’s second contract will pay him even more down the road.

As for the present, Smith is more than content in Philadelphia.

“Those guys that got their deals, they deserve it, great players and great people,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, we’re all blessed.”

More big plays from @DevontaSmith_6 on the Eagles for years to come 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZhBWHnMQ5O

— NFL (@NFL) April 15, 2024

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images