When it comes to what he thinks about parting ways with NFL All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown in a possible trade, fellow Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith proved he is simply too smart to take the bait.
Smith didn’t bite when it came to several questions about Brown’s expected exit before a recent celebrity softball game.
“DeVonta Smith on being the unquestioned top WR if A.J. 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. “He offered no public thoughts on Brown’s status. ‘I just go out there and do my job,’ Smith said.”
In terms of the best responses possible to offseason drama, Smith sets the bar pretty high and could be used as a teaching example moving forward — the less you say, the better.
DeVonta Smith Praised for Non-Response
Most NFL players would have taken the opportunity to talk about such a hot-button issue as a way to insert themselves into a news cycle during a long offseason where they’re starved for attention.
Not Smith. And his decision to take the high road — or no road at all – quickly earned praise.
“And this is why I love DeVonta — avoids controversy, does his job, and comes out on top — he is one of the best picks Eagsleshave ever made,” Joe in PVB wrote on his official X account.
“True professional,” Eagles fan Aaron wrote on X. “Love Smitty. That’s my WR1.”
Eagles Could Deliver Massive Raise for Smith
If Brown is traded and Smith truly becomes the WR1 for the Eagles for the 1st time in his career and delivers an All-Pro season, it could trigger a massive raise from the Eagles.
Smith signed a 3-year, $75 million contract extension before the 2024 season that is scheduled to pay him $14 million in 2026 and $22 million each in 2027 and 2028.
Because the guaranteed money in the contract will all be paid following the 2027 season, the Eagles might want to jump the gun and give him an extension that pays him upwards of $30 million per year — the type of money Brown makes — if he shows he can play at an NFL All-Pro level.
The No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Smith had the 3rd 1,000-yard receiving season of his career in 2025 but has largely been overshadowed by Brown the last 4 seasons — a stretch in which Brown was a 3-time NFL All-Pro.
Smith has never been a Pro Bowler or an NFL All-Pro but he does hold a unique place in football history as one of only 5 people to win a college football national championship, Heisman Trophy, and win the Super Bowl.
That doesn’t mean everyone is a fan. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon called Smith the “Most Overpaid Player” on the Eagles’ roster before 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.”
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Eagles WR DeVonta Smith Addresses Possible A.J. Brown Trade appeared first on HEAVY.