The Philadelphia Eagles made a strategic move by signing DeVonta Smith to an extension ahead of a potential explosion in the receiver market. This move demonstrates a proactive approach to managing their salary cap and securing their top talent for the future.
Smith, a first-round pick in 2021, secured his second contract before other top receivers like Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, and Ja’Marr Chase. The details of Smith’s deal include a signing bonus of $20,351,554, a fully guaranteed base salary for 2024 and 2025, an option bonus for 2025, and various bonuses for the following years.
The new-money average of the contract is $25 million, similar to the deal Tyreek Hill received two years ago. By signing Smith to an extension now, the Eagles have potentially saved money compared to what it would have cost them if they had waited to negotiate a second contract with him later.
Overall, this move by the Eagles shows that they are committed to building a winning team and making smart financial decisions. With the rising costs of second contracts for high-end receivers, getting ahead of the curve could prove beneficial for the team in the long run.
