15 July 2023 , 12:07
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith has quickly proved all doubters wrong in his first two seasons in the NFL, and is now preparing for a huge third season - in the hopes of a big extension will follow.
The former Alabama receiver won the Heisman Trophy in 2020, but was seen as a risk in the NFL due to his slight frame - being one of the lightest receivers in NFL history.
After two seasons, Smith has registered over 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns - becoming one of the league's best number two receiving options. And after this year, he's able to get his contract extension - where he could receive over £15.7million ($20m).
Ahead of his third season, he told Fox News Digital : "You want to definitely go out there and make myself more valuable. Raise the stock is what I say.
"This is year three, that leap year, coming up on that contract year. But, at the end of the day, I’m here playing the game, doing my job, doing the things I’m supposed to do. Everything else is going to take care of itself."
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It's a contract that Smith is absolutely deserving of, but it appears the Eagles may have a few tough decisions to make moving forward after already giving out a few monster contracts.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts briefly became the league's highest-paid player earlier this off-season after his incredible year, guiding the team to the Super Bowl.
The Eagles will not want to lose Smith - one of the best number two receivers in the leagueAnd Smith's fellow receiver AJ Brown became one of the leagues highest-paid players at the position - receiving a four-year, $100m (£76m) contract.
The Eagles will have a number of players who will hope to be given big extensions in the coming years too, while also losing key lineman Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham - coming towards the end of their careers and being out of contract.
But Smith will do everything he can to remain with the team long-term, being happy to be back with his former college quarterback in Hurts.
Smith said: "I think that’s what brings us together a lot - we both want to be great, and we both will really do whatever it takes. We don’t want to waste the grind and hustle of this game. Take everything that comes with it. Just wanting to be as close to perfect as we can."