A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have developed into the best receiving duo in Philadelphia Eagles history, but one of them will be missing something coming into the 2024 season.
This week, the seven captains for the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles were named: A.J. Brown, kicker Jake Elliott, defensive end Brandon Graham, quarterback Jalen Hurts, tackle Lane Johnson, tackle Jordan Mailata, and cornerback Darius Slay.
That means Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith, who had a “C” on his jersey during the 2023 season, was stripped heading into the 2024 season.
On Sunday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked about Smith being taken off the captains list.
“There were a lot of guys that got votes,” Sirianni said. “I had to go with the guys that got the most votes there. Just because DeVonta didn’t have as many votes as some of the other guys does not mean he’s not still a leader on this football team.
“That goes for a lot of guys. That goes for Saquon [Barkley], who has been a captain for many years [with the Giants]. Again, Chauncey [Gardner-Johnson], all these guys. So just because they aren’t the captain and have the ‘C’ on their chest doesn’t mean they’re not the leaders of this football team. You just can only have so many.”
During the 2023 season, the Eagles actually had nine captains, which Sirianni acknowledged was “a couple too many.”
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“Where do you cut it off?” Sirianni said. “It’s always a tricky thing. There are a lot of guys deserving of it.”
The newest captain for this year is Mailata, who is seemingly taking the place of DeVonta Smith.
The other six players were captains in 2023.
Also Read: REPORT: Packers-Eagles Week 1 Matchup In Brazil Is Suddenly In Serious Danger Of Being Cancelled
Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who were also captains, have retired.
DeVonta Smith Is Coming Off A Spectacular 2023 Season
Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith is expected to have yet another 1,000-yard season.
Last year, he recorded 81 receptions for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns, per his stats on ESPN.
He and the Eagles will get their season going when they take on the Green Bay Packers in Brazil.
