A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith looking to balance team success with individual goals in 2025

Sometimes, it's easy to forget how good A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith actually are. In the Eagles' run-heavy offense last season with Saquon Barkley, Brown and Smith both had the fewest targets since their rookie seasons, with 97 and 89, respectively. That doesn't mean they're any less dominant. 

Jalen Hurts still took shots to Brown when he was one-on-one on the outside, while Smith continued to find pockets of space for key first downs. It was just slightly less frequent, with Barkley stealing the show, as he put together a historic season. 

Even if Brown's stats aren't as gaudy as some of the other top receivers in the NFL, like Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase, that doesn't change where he feels he stands among the NFL's best.

"I truly feel like I'm the best in the league and I want to put a stamp on it," Brown told reporters Wednesday. "So I'm definitely motivated. But also, I have to put the team first. That's what I do, honestly. I could go into it deeper, but I think that's what I'm focused on. Being the best version of myself and proving it each and every day that I'm the best." 

Brown's 1,079 yards in 13 games last year were his lowest total in three seasons with the Eagles. He averaged 1,476 yards across the previous two seasons. As always, the numbers don't tell the whole story of Brown's season. He was PFF's highest-rated receiver last year and there was never a debate about whether he's an elite pass catcher.

So for Brown, the question remains, how will he gauge his success this season?

"That's my measurement," Brown said. "It's not what the critics say or whoever says it, that's for me personally. God placed that on my heart when I came in the league, he told me that I could be the best in the league. And I feel like right now, I'm closer than I've ever been. I'm closer than I've ever been, and I want to put a stamp on it. And that's for me, that's not for whoever else, I don't care what anyone else says, that's for me. And I'm chasing that everyday."

A.J. Brown was asked what else he wants to accomplish. After a long pause to think he said:

"Just to continue to be the best version of myself. I truly feel I'm the best in the league. I want to put a stamp on it."

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Smith seems to agree with his receiving partner's assessment. 

"When it comes down to it, if I had to pick a receiver other than myself to go out there and win one-on-one, I'd pick A.J.," Smith said.

Smith, like Brown, also saw his receiving numbers dip, failing to surpass 900 yards for the first time in his career. Smith did miss four games and could've easily gone over 1,000 if he was healthy the entire time. 

When Brown and Smith were playing, the Eagles simply didn't lose. Their only defeat when they both played was against the Washington Commanders in Week 16, and even then, Hurts went out with a concussion in the first quarter.   

Heading into this season, Brown and Smith's usage will be something to monitor. It'll likely come down to whether the Eagles continue to ride Barkley. The running back had 436 rushes last year between the regular and postseason, and history shows that players with that many touches see their production drop the following year. To preserve their star running back, the Eagles could pass the ball more under new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. 

Luckily for the Eagles, they have the resources to do that. Brown and Smith form one of the deadliest receiving duos in the league, and with Hurts throwing to them, they've shown they can pick apart any defense. 

Smith was asked about whether he's had conversations with Brown about what they can do to take their games to the next level. 

"No, not really. I think it's just working on ourselves, coming out here every day, making sure that we do what we need to do," Smith said. "And then, you know, I think that's the conversation more for when the season gets close. I think right now, it's just working on ourselves, building ourselves up and ramping it up." 

Compared to Smith, Brown's racked up more individual achievements in the NFL. Brown has three Second-Team All-Pro selections and Pro Bowls, while Smith has yet to earn either honor. For Smith individually, he's well aware of that and it's something he wants to change. 

"Playing this game, you have accolades and things like that you want to chase," Smith said. "But it doesn't happen overnight. So right now, just working on myself, coming out there, improving my game and when the season comes, everything's going to take care of itself."