Important deadline approaches as Eagles and DeVonta Smith continue negotiations

Sometimes, conversations with casual fans remind me of how different people can be, even if they're related to us or members of an inner circle that we have run with for quite some time. Someone asked me something recently... "What do you do when the Philadelphia Eagles aren't playing? Are you bored?" Wait! What? Their questions were followed by two of my own...

"Am I bored? What do you mean 'Am I bored? ... Heck no!" They must have forgotten about the Senior Bowl, the NFL Scouting Combine, the free-agency period, and the NFL Draft. Bored? Maybe they aren't football junkies like I am, but to be the question seemed asinine.

Am I bored? Heck no! This is one of my favorite times of the year in actuality.

Philly is bolstering its roster. Massive extensions were recently handed to Landon Dickerson and then, later on, to Jordan Mailata. That made me think of DeVonta Smith.

What are the Eagles' plans for him? Just this past week, I entertained that question more often, his name was being tossed around in several circles. Buckle up, we have much to discuss.

The Eagles reportedly prioritize DeVonta Smith's extension, but as May approaches, there's a date worth noting on the calendar.

Philly's leadership structure has been hard at work this offseason. One of the next orders of business is reportedly inking DeVonta Smith to a well-deserved extension. ESPN's Tim McManus reports sources familiar with the negotiations tell him the Eagles are looking to get that done. There is, however, something that must be kept in mind.

May 2nd is an important day on pro football's calendar. That's the deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. DeVonta was selected tenth overall that season. Over The Cap projects he could earn around $15.5 million if that were to happen.

Three seasons in, things couldn't be much better than where they are currently for our 'Skinny Batman'. He broke the Eagles' franchise rookie receiving yards record in year one. He set a franchise record for receptions by a wide receiver in year two (Zach Ertz holds the single-season franchise record for receptions by any player). Year three ended with him capping a second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaign.

The only thing he hasn't been able to do is avoid two obvious Pro Bowl snubs. Twice, he has been punished by the voters because he lines up on the opposite side of the formation from A.J. Brown. It's almost as if there's a belief that sending two Eagles wideouts to the Pro Bowl is overkill.

That's another story for another day. Regardless of where you stand in that argument, here's where we can agree. DeVonta is an important building block for Philly's future. It would be nice if he stuck around for a while, but we trust Howie Roseman and company to get this deal done.

Flashback: DeVonta Smith hangs out with Inside The Iggles

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