Why DeVonta Smith rejects idea of being Eagles' A.J. Brown replacement

Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata is among those who view Devonta Smith as the club's new No. 1 wide receiver after Philadelphia traded A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. 

Smith recently shared why he doesn't necessarily agree with such takes. 

Nothing has changed for DeVonta Smith after A.J. Brown trade

"I mean, I'm just going out there and do my job," Smith said, per Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "Regardless, however you want to look at it, one, two, three, four. End of the day, we all have jobs, and I’ve got to go out there and do it. I'm going to do the same thing I've been doing."

Such comments are easy for Smith to make in early June. However, ESPN stats show that Brown led the 2025 Eagles with 78 receptions and 121 targets. Smith is the next man up on the depth chart and should see plenty of the passes that otherwise would have gone Brown's way in certain situations. 

To compare, Smith ended last season with 77 receptions on 113 targets for a team-high 1,008 yards. Over 17 games, he recorded four touchdown catches. 

DeVonta Smith vows to not be A.J. Brown 2.0 with Eagles?

Over what became his final two seasons with the Eagles, Brown repeatedly and publicly complained about his role in the club's offense and about the number of targets he saw in any given week. Without directly saying so, Smith suggested he will handle things differently later this year. 

"I'm just going out there to do my job, whatever that may be for the week that we're playing," Smith explained. "Whoever we're playing, whatever the job may be for that week. I'm just trying to go out there and do that." 

Smith added that "there’s always going to be things you want to improve on" amid his goal to "want to be better than" he was in the previous season. The Eagles are clearly banking on Smith making such a leap, as his name will be in the WR1 spot on the team's depth chart for the foreseeable future.