PHILADELPHIA − Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have proven to be among the best in the NFL over the past three seasons.
There was Brown’s jaw-dropping grab in Super Bowl 57 in Feb. 2023, and Devonta Smith’s 46-yard TD catch, otherwise known as “The Dagger,” in the most recent Super Bowl, in addition to a plethora of other highlights from the duo.
And yet, after earning their first championships following the 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9, neither receiver is satisfied.
Brown seeks to be the best
Brown finished with 1,079 yards receiving last season. It was his lowest total as an Eagle after setting the team single-season receiving record in 2022 with 1,496 yards and nearly matching that the next season with 1,456 yards.
But Brown missed three games last season due to a hamstring injury, and another to rest for the playoffs. Brown is healthy now, and he has a lofty new goal.
“I truly feel like I’m the best in the league,” Brown said. “And I’m gonna put a stamp on it.”
Brown was ranked fourth in ESPN’s leaguewide preseason top 10 poll. Brown, entering his seventh season and fourth with the Eagles, said he isn’t concerned with the opinions of others around the league. Instead, he simply looks to command respect.
Brown said becoming the best wide receiver in the NFL was something he knew he wanted during the very first game of his career. That came in 2019, when he was with the Tennessee Titans, who made Brown their second-round pick.
“We faced the Cleveland Browns, and Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham ran onto the field, and the crowd went crazy,” Brown said. “The adrenaline I got from that; that’s what I’m chasing.”
So far in camp, Brown has reveled in his matchups with second-year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. The two went back and forth when lined up against each other during the first few days of training camp.
Brown views these matchups as a chance to not only get better himself, but to help Mitchell and fellow defensive back Cooper DeJean develop into All Pros.
“It’s part of my responsibility, part of our responsibility as wide receivers, is to get those guys ready, and vice versa,” Brown said.
Brown said that might not manifest itself in his receiving yards or other stats this season. Rather, Brown said he would know if he’s truly the NFL’s best from what he sees from himself on the field.
“I think right now, I’m closer than I’ve ever been (to being the best), and I want to put a stamp on it,” he said. “That’s for me. That’s not for whoever else. I don’t care what anyone else says. This is personal for me and that’s what I’m chasing every day.”
DeVonta Smith shoots for more
Smith may be the most accomplished player on the Eagles’ roster. He is a Heisman trophy winner and national champion in college at Alabama, and a Super Bowl champion with the Eagles.
Smith, in his fifth season, said he has many more goals to accomplish.
“I haven’t had an All Pro, a Pro Bowl (selection),” he said. “That has to become part of the plan. “Everyone has to have individual goals.”
Smith, too, had his fewest receiving yards as an Eagle last season, with 833. He also averaged a career-low 12.3 yards per catch. Like Brown, Smith also missed four games − one with a concussion, two with a hamstring, and the regular-season finale with a wrist injury.
Smith said he’s hopeful that an offseason of intense training will give him an edge.
“I think my ability to be in top shape gives me an advantage,” Smith said. “If I’m able to play every snap and stay healthy, that gives me a huge edge.”
Smith said he and Brown both see training camp as a great opportunity for individual improvement.
“We’re both working really hard on ourselves, and handling what we need to every day.” Smith said.
How will coaching changes affect the stars’ growth?
Still, some changes around the Eagles’ offense could determine not only whether they achieve their goals, but how.
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore left after the Super Bowl to become the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Moore was replaced by Kevin Patullo, who had been the Eagles’ passing game coordinator since arriving with head coach Nick Sirianni in 2021.
Celebrate the Eagles’ Super Bowl win with our new book
“Every coach brings something new, something they do differently,” Smith said.
Brown stressed that the changes are part of evolving, which he said the offense has to do anyway because many teams will focus on stopping running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 2,005 yards last season.
“We’re just going to continue to build on what we did last year really well, and add some finishing touches to it,” Brown said.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith: How Eagles WRs can go from great to greater