DeVonta Smith, the Philadelphia Eagles' star wide receiver, has been showing off his prowess on the field, reinforcing his reputation as a key player for the team. With back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Smith has set high expectations for himself and his teammates, and evidence from the Eagles' training camp suggests he’s ready to meet them.
Training Camp Stardom
Observers at the Eagles' training camp have noted Smith's standout performance. His position coach, Aaron Moorhead, has been particularly impressed. "He's had as good of a camp that he's had probably since I've been here with him,” Moorhead remarked. “His confidence is through the roof, and he's continuing just to master his craft."
Smith has consistently been making catches, an ability that has become increasingly evident over the past seven practices. This consistency not only speaks to his technical skills but also to his mental preparedness and focus. Moorhead elaborated on Smith’s dedication, noting his attention to detail and his execution of even the most routine plays. "Just doing the routine things,” Moorhead said. “The plays that I left on the field, there were routine things that I wasn't doing. Making sure that I'm constantly doing the routine things so that I'm capitalizing on every play."
Pushing for Excellence
Despite his successes, Smith is determined not to rest on his laurels. His drive for self-improvement is apparent in his approach to the game. "You always want to improve your football IQ. That's something you can always grow on. There might be situations we have this year that we didn't run into last year. So situational football and football IQ," Smith said.
This commitment to growth and perfection also extends to Smith’s game-time mentality. Setting high standards for himself, he believes that being open and doing his job effectively, regardless of whether he gets the ball, is a measure of his success. "Making sure I'm doing my job. If I'm open and the ball doesn't come to me, for me, that's a plus because at the end of the day I still did my job. I was open. So just going out there and making sure I'm putting the right things on tape," he explained.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Smith’s impressive early career stats reflect his talent and effort. With 240 receptions and 3,178 receiving yards in his first three seasons—an Eagles record—he has already etched his name in the franchise’s history. These achievements have not gone unnoticed, and the Eagles have shown their confidence in him by signing Smith to a contract extension worth $25 million per year.
Moorhead acknowledges the impact Smith has had and the potential for even greater contributions. “There are plays I think every year he's been here he's left on the field for certain things, and just maybe a technique here, a technique there, and things that would've been big plays for us in games. He knows that," Moorhead commented, emphasizing Smith’s awareness of his own areas for improvement.
A Continuous Quest for Improvement
Smith himself is not one to shy away from identifying areas where he can get better. He believes in the importance of constant evolution, recognizing that each season brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. "There's always room for improvement. Every year, you're gonna find something new that you're going to want to put in the toolbox," he said.
Moorhead, for his part, is appreciative of having such committed and talented players in his receiver corps. "I have great receivers," he succinctly put it, highlighting the depth of talent present in the Eagles' lineup.
As the new NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on DeVonta Smith to see how he builds on his already impressive resume. With a strong training camp under his belt and an unwavering commitment to excellence, there’s every reason to believe that Smith will continue to be a cornerstone of the Eagles’ offense for years to come.