The Philadelphia Eagles have clearly emphasized taking care of their young, foundational players this offseason. After signing both Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata to massive contract extensions, DeVonta Smith is likely the next player in line for a new deal.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman often attempts to sign young players to contract extensions before the market gets reset by top deals at the position. Several rising star wide receivers are eligible to sign extensions around the NFL right now, yet how much will it cost the Eagles to keep Smith around in Philadelphia?
Analyzing the Potential Cost of DeVonta Smith’s Contract Extension
According to Tim McManus of ESPN, contract talks between the Eagles and Smith are ongoing and there is optimism that a deal will materialize in the near future. McManus also mentions that it would not be a surprise to see Smith command $25 million or more per season on his new deal.
That number shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that the Eagles signed star wide receiver A.J. Brown to a similar deal in 2022. Brown signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Eagles after the team traded for him during the 2022 NFL Draft.
Since then, several other wide receivers have signed massive contracts around the NFL. Nearly a month after Brown signed his extension with the Eagles, the Los Angeles Rams signed Cooper Kupp to a three-year extension worth up to $80 million.
In July 2022, the San Francisco 49ers signed Deebo Samuel to a three-year extension worth up to $73.5 million. While it’s fair to say that Smith isn’t quite at Kupp’s level just yet, he is likely a better wide receiver than Samuel is right now. Therefore, he should easily surpass Samuel’s average annual value of $23.8 million.
There have been several notable wide receiver deals signed this offseason as well. Mike Evans agreed to a two-year, $52 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Calvin Ridley signed a four-year, $92 million deal with the Tennessee Titans. Even less-talented wide receivers such as Gabe Davis and Darnell Mooney signed multi-year contracts worth $13 million per season.
Based on Smith’s continued ascent and his age, at just 25 years old, it’s fair to expect him to vault into the top five of average annual value among wide receivers with his new deal. Smith will likely sign a long-term extension worth roughly $25-$26 million per year, which could quickly look like a steal if the Eagles are the first team to sign their young wide receiver to a contract extension this offseason.
How Can the Eagles Build Around Their High-Priced Wide Receiver Duo?
Although Roseman and the Eagles are known for their masterful ability to manage the salary cap, it will be interesting to see how Philadelphia manages its situation at wide receiver. It’s rare for a team to have one wide receiver making $25 million per season on their roster, yet the Eagles might have two once Smith signs his new deal.
That’s likely why the Eagles are taking chances on low-cost options such as DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell in free agency this offseason. Both players have starting experience in the NFL and offer different skill sets. Yet, they each signed team-friendly deals with the Eagles that included minimal guaranteed money.
As the Eagles prepare to pay top-tier money to their wide receiver duo, it will be important to surround them with cost-effective depth at the position. This is surely why the Eagles are showing interest in several wide receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Given the strength of the wide receiver group in this year’s draft class, Philadelphia would be wise to select one of them with a relatively early selection. As wide receiver has quickly developed into a premium and very costly position in today’s NFL, it’s important for teams to have cost-effective options on their roster.
Florida State’s Johnny Wilson, Texas A&M’s Ainias Smith, and USC’s Brenden Rice have all been linked to the Eagles during the pre-draft process. As the Eagles continue to plan for their future around two costly wide receivers, Philadelphia should absolutely consider selecting one of those players in the 2024 NFL Draft.