Why Eagles think they have two alphas rather than divas at wide receiver (2024)

PHILADELPHIA — Many of the NFL’s greatest wide receivers have had baggage.

We’ll do a quick roll call to prove our point.

DeSean Jackson. Drop the ball. Check.

Terrell Owens. Star search. Check.

Chad Johnson/Ochocinco. The name change tells the story. Check.

Randy Moss. Moon over Green Bay. Check.

Anotonio Brown. Let’s just undress and say goodbye. Check.

Jerry Rice. OK, he’s an exception and there are, of course, many others.

BUY EAGLES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

It’s always a little bit of a concern, however, when a team has a great receiver that he might become temperamental if the ball doesn’t head his way often enough. That concern multiplies when a team has two terrific receivers, which is one of those good problems the Eagles never seemed to have until recently.

Now, they have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, two guys with multiple 1,000-yard seasons both armed with long-term deals that will pay them $25 million per season.

Is there any need to worry that Brown could be troubled by Smith’s new deal or that either one of them will be concerned about not getting the ball enough in the future?

Not according to Smith, who the day after receiving his three-year contract extension took the time Tuesday to explain his relationship with his fellow star receiver.

“Two guys that understand one another,” Smith said. “I think the relationship has made it so we take the games where we don’t have the big games and the other one does and just be happy for each other. There’s never a time where we’re sitting up there mad at each other or mad at anyone about not getting targets.”

Smith then added that both he and Brown are super competitive and want to be a huge part of the offense, but he said that should be applauded rather than a cause for concern.

“Let’s be realistic,” he said. “Everybody wants to be a part of the game. Everybody wants to make big plays. You should be happy that you have a guy like that.”

Even happier that there are two.

“You have a lot of guys that when (crunch) time comes they’ll shy away from the moment,” Smith said. “You have a guy like him and and a guy like me, we’re never going to shy away from the moment. When that moment comes we always want to be a part of it. I think that’s the good thing about it.”

Smith realizes that the concern is out there.

“Everybody wants to spin it this way and that way, but you have two guys that want to be the alpha and I feel that’s a good thing. You’ve got two guys that are happy for each other. Me and A.J., we talk every day. We call each other every day, make sure we talk on the phone every day, whether it’s football or life. Last night we had the kids on the phone. Babies just sitting there doing the baby talk. So it’s just us being real close outside of football.”

Smith added that he thinks he and Brown can be the best receiving combination in the NFL going forward.

“You’re going to ask me, I’m going to always bet on me and my guy,” Smith said.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is more than content with the receiving duo he’ll have in place for what is the distant future in NFL years.

“The only problem that would happen is that there would be jealously ... but these two guys love each other,” Sirianni said. “These two guys are connected ... have a great relationship and that’s what you’re trying to create for your entire football team. I think I’m able to use them a lot as an example of how you want teammates to respond to each other.”

And so the Eagles feel as if they have two alpha star receivers who are not divas, which is exactly what you want at that position.

Thank you for relying on us to provide thejournalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Bob Brookover can be reachedat rbrookover@njadvancemedia.com