The Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver DeVonta Smith is making waves as he heads into the upcoming NFL season, coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Smith, who has quickly established himself as a key player for the Eagles, continues to impress during training camp with his stellar performance and unwavering dedication to improvement.
Consistency and Confidence
Smith's standout ability to make catches consistently during practice sessions has not gone unnoticed. His position coach, Aaron Moorhead, has high praise for the young wide receiver, attributing Smith's success to his growing confidence. "He's had as good of a camp that he's had probably since I've been here with him. His confidence is through the roof, and he's continuing just to master his craft," Moorhead stated.
This confidence is evident in Smith's gameplay, where he makes precise catches and executes routine plays with precision. Moorhead adds, "Just doing the routine things. 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."
Aiming for Improvement
DeVonta Smith isn't resting on his laurels. He aspires to elevate his game by improving his football IQ and situational awareness. "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 emphasized.
This mindset of constant improvement is a sign of Smith's high standards for himself, as he strives to be a reliable player regardless of whether he receives the ball. "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," Smith explained.
Record-Setting Achievement
Smith's dedication and hard work have paid off significantly. With 240 receptions and 3,178 receiving yards in his first three seasons, Smith holds the record for the most in Eagles history. His extraordinary performance and potential prompted the Eagles to extend his contract, now worth a substantial $25 million per year.
Despite these accomplishments, Smith remains humble and focused on continual 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, exemplifying his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Coaching and Mentorship
Aaron Moorhead, Smith's position coach, plays a crucial role in shaping Smith's approach and development on the field. Moorhead values Smith's attention to detail and his execution of routine plays, which he believes is key to Smith's success. "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 remarked.
Moorhead's belief in Smith’s abilities is unwavering, and he appreciates having such a talent in his lineup. "I have great receivers," Moorhead proudly stated, acknowledging the standout quality of his players, including Smith.
Looking Forward
As the new season approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans have high expectations for DeVonta Smith. His remarkable performance, focused mindset, and relentless desire for improvement suggest that he has only begun to tap into his vast potential. With continued mentorship from Aaron Moorhead and Smith's own determination, the future looks bright for this exceptional wide receiver.