Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith isn’t second guessing his contract extension that’s been dwarfed by other recent signings.
“It was still life changing,” Smith said during a media availability. “At the end of the day we’re all blessed.”
Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is the most recent to cash in on an extension, signing a long-term deal averaging $35 million compared to a $25 million average for Smith, who has been criticized for not waiting for his price tag to go up.
“You can’t be counting the pockets of others,” Smith said. “I’m where I want to be.”
Smith agreed to his deal before the Eagles signed veteran wide receiver AJ Brown to an extension averaging $32 million annually.
The departure of Eagles defensive back James Bradberry appears greatly exaggerated.
Haters won’t be happy to hear the much-maligned cornerback is working in at safety, according to Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who applauded the “versatility” of Bradberry before hitting the field Tuesday for the start of a three-day mandatory minicamp.
While Bradberry’s detractors insisted his career with the Eagles was over and that he wouldn’t be at minicamp, the reality is the 30-year-old defender is experienced enough to excel in a hybrid role carved out for him by veteran coordinator Vic Fangio.
If the Eagles proved anything last year, it’s that you cannot have enough defensive backs.
If Bradberry can play the safety position, where Reed Blankenship and CJ Gardner-Johnson are stationed, and cornerback, where it’s much too early to anoint Quinyon Mitchell or Cooper DeJean as the rookie starter next to Darius Slay, and nickel, where Avonte Maddox is making a comeback, the Eagles will be better for it.
The worst-case scenario is Bradberry adds to his trade value.
“James was able to do a couple different things last year,” Sirianni said. “(He) played the majority of his career at corner, and then last year was able to do some things at dime, some things at the nickel, some things at the corner and now he’s working some of the safety stuff today. I’m excited about that and his opportunity. You’ve seen a lot of good corners in this league. I guess the first one that comes to my mind is Charles Woodson. He went from elite corner to elite nickel to elite safety. So, I’m excited about that for James, that he’s able to do more.”
Bradberry is coming off an awful season in which the opposition completed 59.4 percent of its passes against him, the most in his two years with the Eagles. The opposition also gained 12.3 yards per completion against.
Rough as those numbers are Bradberry wore too many hats for an Eagles defense that last season had too many out-of-touch coordinators. Opponents couldn’t wait to take their cuts against the Eagles.
History says that Fangio will figure out a productive scheme in time for the critical games. And don’t be surprised if Bradberry is part of it.
The Eagles’ James Bradberry, above in January 2023, is working out at safety during the team’s mandatory minicamp this week. (Matt Slocum – The Associated Press)
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