Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles stay ahead of the game with star WR's contract extension

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/15/24

A bevy of elite wide receivers are expected to cash in with big paydays soon.

The Philadelphia Eagles got ahead of the game on Monday, signing star wideout DeVonta Smith to a three-year contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Eagles three-year extension for WR Devonta Smith includes $51 million guaranteed, per source. https://t.co/3fprIpz2y2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 15, 2024

This is what the #Eagles do: Philadelphia is proactive, recognizing that Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr Chase, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and others are due for huge WR contracts. They move quickly and secure a deal with DeVonta Smith before the market… https://t.co/OlkJCg8egh
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 15, 2024

It was reported on Monday that the best pass-catcher of one of the Eagles' division rivals (Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb) was expected to skip the start of the team's voluntary offseason program.

Lamb and the Cowboys are facing a potential holdout after the team failed to address his contract situation earlier in the offseason.

Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers and Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals have been involved in rampant trade rumors in recent months.

The futures of Bengals Pro Bowler Ja'Marr Chase, Detroit Lions All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and Minnesota Vikings stud Justin Jefferson have all come into question this offseason as well.

Smith's sidekick (three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown) has also been in constant trade chatter, making Philadelphia's move to lock up the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner even more important.

Smith led the team across the board in targets (104), receptions (64), receiving yards (916) and receiving touchdowns (five) during his 2021 rookie campaign. During his last two seasons sharing the field with Brown, the 25-year-old has finished second in targets and receiving yards.

Smith led the Eagles in receptions (95) and was second in touchdowns (seven) in 2022 and tied Brown for the team lead in touchdowns (seven) in 2023.

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