Jalen Hurts on DeVonta Smith: ‘His presence has always been very valuable’

As the Philadelphia Eagles wrap up their offseason program, quarterback Jalen Hurts has spent the last few weeks adjusting to a revamped receiving corps. Following the June 1 trade of three-time Pro Bowler AJ Brown, Hurts has shifted his focus toward building chemistry with first-round pick Makai Lemon, newcomer Dontayvion Wicks, and veteran free-agent signings Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore.

A Long-Standing Connection

While much of the roster has changed, one constant remains for Hurts: his enduring partnership with wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The duo first teamed up at Alabama back in 2017, and as they head into their sixth season together in Philadelphia, their history continues to anchor the offense.

"I’ve played with Smitty since I was 17, 18 years old," Hurts said regarding their deep-rooted chemistry. "Having his presence has always been very valuable. I’ve always appreciated that. As he leads and as I lead, it’s just about putting those things together and continuing to improve given all the change that we have in front of us."

Moving Forward After the Trade

The departure of AJ Brown to the New England Patriots marks a significant transition for the Eagles, though Hurts expressed pride in what the team accomplished during the previous four seasons. "Nothing can take that away," Hurts noted. "Now it’s time to focus on achieving great things with this new iteration of the team."

The trade arrives following a disappointing end to the 2025 season, where Philadelphia suffered a first-round playoff exit after dropping five of their final eight games. Despite outside narratives suggesting friction within the team, head coach Nick Sirianni remains confident in his quarterback's stability.

"Jalen is consistent—very, very consistent," Sirianni said. "He stays locked into the moment and what he can control. Regardless of what is perceived, he’s consistent in his approach."

Mastering a New System

Beyond integrating new pass-catchers, Hurts is navigating yet another offensive transition as he prepares for his sixth NFL season with his sixth different play-caller. With Sean Mannion stepping in as the new offensive coordinator, the team spent the spring installing a new system.

"Thought it was a really good spring being able to onboard another new system and put everything together," Hurts said. "Laid the foundation, so I’m encouraged by that. We got a fun summer ahead of us, and it’ll be a fun training camp being able to get back on the grass."

The Eagles concluded their offseason workouts this week and are set to reunite when training camp begins this July. For more NFL coverage, visit our NFL page at 205focus.com.