Eagles WR DeVonta Smith Addresses Possible AJ Brown Trade

When it involves what he thinks about parting methods with NFL All-Pro huge receiver AJ Brown in a attainable commerce, fellow Philadelphia Eagles huge receiver DeVonta Smith proved he is just too good to take the bait.

Smith did not chunk when he got here to a number of questions on Brown’s anticipated exit earlier than a latest well-known softball recreation.

“DeVonta Smith on being the unquestioned top WR if AJ Brown is traded: ‘I got a job to do so I plan to go out there and do that,’ ” The Athletic’s Zach Berman wrote on his official X account. “I have offered no public thoughts on Brown’s status. ‘I just go out there and do my job,’ Smith said.”

In phrases of the perfect responses attainable to offseason drama, Smith units the bar fairly excessive and might be used as a educating instance transferring ahead — the much less you say, the higher.

DeVonta Smith Praised for Non-Response

Most NFL gamers would have taken the chance to speak about such a hot-button problem as a solution to insert themselves right into a information cycle throughout a protracted offseason the place they’re starved for consideration.

Not Smith. And his resolution to take the excessive highway — or no highway in any respect — shortly earned reward.

“And this is why I love DeVonta — avoids controversy, does his job, and comes out on top — he is one of the best picks Eagles have ever made,” Joe in PVB wrote on his official X account.

“True professional,” Eagles fan Aaron wrote on. “Love Smitty. That’s my WR1.”

Eagles Could Deliver Massive Raise for Smith

If Brown is traded and Smith really turns into the WR1 for the Eagles for the first time in his profession and delivers an All-Pro season, it might set off a large increase from the Eagles.

Smith signed a 3-year, $75 million contract extension earlier than the 2024 season that’s scheduled to pay him $14 million in 2026 and $22 million every in 2027 and 2028.

Because the assured cash within the contract will all be paid following the 2027 season, the Eagles may wish to soar the gun and provides him an extension that pays him upwards of $30 million per yr — the kind of cash Brown makes — if he reveals he can play at an NFL All-Pro stage.

The No. 10 total choose within the 2021 NFL draft, Smith had the third 1,000-yard receiving season of his profession in 2025 however has largely been overshadowed by Brown the final 4 seasons — a stretch through which Brown was a 3-time NFL All-Pro.

Smith has by no means been a Pro Bowler or an NFL All-Pro however he does maintain a novel place in soccer historical past as one among solely 5 individuals to win a school soccer nationwide championship, Heisman Trophy, and win the Super Bowl.

That doesn’t suggest everyone seems to be a fan. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon referred to as Smith the “Most Overpaid Player” on the Eagles’ roster earlier than the 2025 season.

“Smith is a very good player, but he’s a clear-cut No. 2 receiver who has averaged about 1,000 yards per season and never scored more than eight touchdowns in a campaign.” Gagnon wrote. “Yet his $25 million AAV makes him the 12th-highest-paid player at his position.”

Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a give attention to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports activities author and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame