Eagles WR DeVonta Smith not worried about other receivers surpassing his payday: 'You can't be counting the pockets of others' 

Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith took some digital flack for inking a new deal earlier this offseason before the wideout market exploded.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, teammate A.J. Brown, Jaylen Waddle and Justin Jefferson have all signed deals since Smith inked his three-year, $75 million extension, pushing the 25-year-old to eighth in average pay per year among wideouts.

If Smith had waited for others to advance the market, he might have been able to rake in over $25 million annually in fresh earnings. Nevertheless, the Eagles wide receiver isn’t bothered about his forthcoming earnings.

“No, man. No. You can’t be counting the pockets of others,” he said Tuesday, via Bleeding Green Nation. “I’m where I want to be. This is where I wanted to be, and at the end of the day, it was still life-changing for me.

The individuals who have secured their deals certainly deserve it – they are exceptional players and wonderful people. Ultimately, we are all fortunate.

Who are we to scold if Smith is satisfied with his contract?

You may argue that Smith surrendered some advantage by agreeing to a contract that binds him for the next five years. However, securing that initial substantial NFL paycheck is a landmark moment for every player, and Smith has achieved his. The rolling guarantee structure of the contract provides Smith with a certain level of security, unless he suffers a severe injury. This contract could also be renegotiated by either party in a few years, depending on the unfolding circumstances.

This transaction highlights the intelligent tactic employed by Howie Roseman and the Eagles management to prioritize secondary deals for their essential players. The longer teams delay, the more expensive it becomes.