DeVonta Smith, Eagles agree to terms on rookie contract – Bleeding Green Nation

The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to officially sign 2021 first-round pick DeVonta Smith to his rookie contract today, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero adds that the two sides have agreed to terms.

Thanks to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, rookie contracts are typically pretty straightforward. There isn’t much negotiating taking place since the deals are tied to draft slots. Here’s the breakdown of Smith’s four-year deal, per Over The Cap:

Since Smith was a first-round pick, there’s also a fifth-year team option in his contract. The way fifth-year options work changed with the latest CBA. Over The Cap offers a detailed explanation:

Basic: Players who do not meet any of the requirements below will be eligible for a fifth year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd to 25th highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons.

Playtime: These players will be eligible for a fifth year base salary calculated from the average of the 3rd to 20th highest salaries at their position over the past five seasons, provided that their snap counts over their first three seasons meet one of the following three criteria: 1) 75% or greater in two of their first three seasons 2) an average of 75% or greater over all three seasons 3) 50% or greater over all three seasons

One Pro Bowl: Players who are named to exactly one Pro Bowl on the original ballot (not as an alternate) will be eligible for a fifth year base salary equal to the transition tender at their position.

Multiple Pro Bowls: Players who are named to two or three Pro Bowls on the original ballot (not as an alternate) will be eligible for a fifth year base salary equal to the franchise tender at their position.

Upon being exercised, the fifth year option is fully guaranteed, and any base salary in the player’s fourth year that was not fully guaranteed will become so.

The Eagles sure wouldn’t mind if Smith ends up qualifying for the “multiple Pro Bowls” category. And there’s reason to believe it’s not impossible! Smith’s going to be a really good player. Can’t wait to see him play.

Smith is the first of nine Eagles picks from this year’s draft to agree to terms on his rookie deal. His fellow rookies will likely soon get their paperwork out of the way, which allows them to participate in training camp beginning on July 27.