{"id":30243,"date":"2026-06-16T21:08:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T01:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design-providers.com\/rise\/devonta-smith-stepping-out-of-the-shadows-into-eagles-legend-status\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T21:08:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T01:08:03","slug":"devonta-smith-stepping-out-of-the-shadows-into-eagles-legend-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design-providers.com\/rise\/devonta-smith-stepping-out-of-the-shadows-into-eagles-legend-status\/","title":{"rendered":"DeVonta Smith: Stepping Out of the Shadows into Eagles Legend Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n <\/p>\n

Eagles<\/p>\n

Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/span> <\/p>\n

With 2:47 left in the 3rd quarter of Super Bowl LIX\u200a\u2014\u200aand the Eagles up 27\u20130 and needing one more score to all but end the competitive phase of the game\u2014 they did not run with Saquon Barkley<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instead, <\/span>H<\/span>urts threw a 46-yard play-action\u00a0bomb\u00a0for a DeVonta Smith <\/a>score. The play was labeled immediately by commentator Tom Brady\u200a\u2014\u200aand will always be known as The Dagger.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Not many quarterbacks and wide receivers have a history like Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith. For two seasons at Alabama\u200a, \u200athe two were a top college connection at one of the finest college<\/a> football programs in all of America. Before that\u200a, Hurts even hosted Smith on his visit to Alabama<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Then, in 2021, DeVonta Smith was drafted by the Eagles.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

After one season with Smith and Hurts both with the Eagles\u200a, Philadelphia made yet another splash by acquiring veteran AJ Brown<\/a>. For four seasons, Brown and Smith were among the top receiver duos in the NFL<\/a>. Now\u200a\u2014\u200aDeVonta Smith is once again Philly\u2019s #1 receiver with<\/a> Brown\u2019s departure to New England<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/em><\/p>\n

But for Smith, \u200ait\u2019s not just about being #1. It\u2019s about leading a wide receiver room<\/a> that will not only need to make up for the loss of AJ Brown<\/a>\u200a, but will need to provide on-field options for an Eagles offense operating with a new scheme in 2026. And for Hurts\u200a\u2014\u200anow surrounded by new weapons such as rookie Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson, Quez Watkins, Hollywood Brown, Britain Covey. Danny Gray and Darius Cooper.<\/p>\n

And 2026 itself isn\u2019t just about proving that DeVonta Smith doesn\u2019t need a future<\/a> Hall of Famer like AJ opposite him to be dominant. That Smith\u2019s ability\u200a\u2014\u200aboth as a leader and a top NFL<\/a> pass catcher\u200a\u2014\u200ais exactly the feature receiver that the Eagles need from the position to hoist yet another Lombardi Trophy.<\/p>\n

Some five years ago, rookie DeVonta Smith and the Eagles played a Thursday night game against the NFL Commentator and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and future NFL Hall of Famer Richard Sherman<\/a>. Years later\u200a\u2014\u200aafter having to cope with the speed of Smith all night\u200a\u2014\u200aSherman would later share that it was one of the moments that helped him make a decision to retire.<\/p>\n

No matter what the future brings, Smith and Brown won\u2019t just be two of the best receivers in Eagles\u2019 history, but in NFL history.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In September, DeVonta Smith will look to begin yet another journey<\/a> to make some other NFL defensive backs contemplate retirement, and all the while making sure that he adds more championship trophies to the NovaCare Complex\u200a\u2014\u200abefore his career is over as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation<\/h3>\n

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.<\/p>\n

Tags: AJ Brown Alabama Crimson Tide Buccaneers College College Football DeVonta Smith Eagles Makai Lemon NCAA NCAAF New England Patriots NFC NFL Patriots Philadelphia Eagles Richard Sherman Saquon Barkley Tampa Bay Buccaneers University of Alabama <\/span><\/p>\n

Categorized:Eagles<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eagles Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect With 2:47 left in the 3rd quarter of Super Bowl LIX\u200a\u2014\u200aand the Eagles up 27\u20130 and needing one more score to all but end the competitive phase of the game\u2014 they did not run with Saquon Barkley. Instead, Hurts threw a 46-yard play-action\u00a0bomb\u00a0for a DeVonta Smith score. The 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SPORTS<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Eagles Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect With 2:47 left in the 3rd quarter of Super Bowl LIX\u200a\u2014\u200aand the Eagles up 27\u20130 and needing one more score to all but end the competitive phase of the game\u2014 they did not run with Saquon Barkley. Instead, Hurts threw a 46-yard play-action\u00a0bomb\u00a0for a DeVonta Smith score. 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