By now, it’s no secret that a player’s mistakes are often amplified when their team loses. While one person is hardly ever to blame, players like Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith make it a point to take accountability if they fall short in big moments.
For Smith, that moment came on Sunday after the Eagles (5–1) fell to the Jets (3–3), 20–14, for their first loss of the season. The usually sure-handed wideout drew criticism for a pair of costly dropped passes, including one on the opening drive of the second half that would’ve put Philadelphia in field goal range with a 14–9 lead.
A rare drop for DeVonta Smith pic.twitter.com/87JHB0cuVZ
— DIE-HARD 🦅 Fans (@Eaglesfans9) October 15, 2023
HOW DID DeVonta Smith DROP THIS!!!??? pic.twitter.com/Nq2R3vZrwY
— DIE-HARD 🦅 Fans (@Eaglesfans9) October 15, 2023
When asked about the drops post-game, Smith kept his answer short and brutally honest as the former Heisman Trophy winner critiqued his errors.
“Nah, I just f------ dropped it,” Smith told reporters when asked if he took his eye off the ball. “I just need to be better.”
Smith’s upfront self-evaluation didn’t stop there after a follow-up question asking what he could learn from the experience, prompting him to shrug his shoulders before responding.
“Ain’t nothing to learn,” Smith replied, “Catch the damn ball.”
DeVonta Smith keeps it real after the Eagles loss.
— Mike Daddino (@mike_daddino) October 16, 2023
“Ain’t nothing to learn. Catch the damn ball.” pic.twitter.com/na2qdDZpD8
Judging by his answers, Smith, who had zero drops and 23 catches entering Week 6, still believed he could’ve done more. He hauled in five catches for 44 yards on a team-high 11 targets against a New York secondary without its top two cornerbacks.
As Philadelphia now moves on to Week 7, perhaps his own harsh words will provide Smith with an extra spark heading into the club’s primetime meeting with the Dolphins (5–1).
