He is just now hitting his stride, and for wide receiver DeVonta Smith, that truly means his ceiling is limitless. For three seasons, Smith has been a key cog and a star producer in the Eagles' offense, displaying consummate professionalism and love of competition.

And he's here for the long haul.

Smith, the team's first-round draft pick in 2021 as Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman and the Eagles smartly moved up to the No. 10 pick overall, has agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension that will keep him in Philadelphia through the 2028 season, the team announced on Monday. That includes the team exercising Smith's fifth-year option for the 2025 campaign.

For the Eagles, it means keeping another young, ascending star and core part of the long-term vision of the roster. Smith is the fourth current member of the team to land a multi-year contract extension this offseason and the timing, and the positive jolt it provides, comes at a great time with the offseason program underway and the 2024 NFL Draft less than two weeks away.

For Smith – who earned the nickname "Slim Reaper" in college – it means staying with a perfect marriage in an offense that uses his get-open-all-the-time skills in a featured manner. Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner who helped Alabama capture two National Championships in his four seasons with the Crimson Tide leading up to the NFL Draft, has recorded 240 receptions for 3,178 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three Eagles seasons and he has been remarkably durable, starting 49 of the 50 games he's played.

"DeVonta works extremely hard and earns everything he gets," Head Coach Nick Sirianni said of Smith during the 2023 season. "He's a pro in every sense of the word. Always prepared. Always up to the challenge. Loves to go out there and compete. He's what you want in a football player."

Smith joins guard Landon Dickerson, placekicker Jake Elliott, and tackle Jordan Mailata as players who have signed long-term contract extensions in recent weeks, with all three deals keeping the players in Philadelphia through the 2028 campaign. The Eagles have long made it clear that they wanted to work out something for multiple seasons with Smith, who had two years remaining on the five-year contract he signed after the 2021 NFL Draft.

Now, the deal is done and the Eagles are keeping a player they have loved since Day 1.

"DeVonta is an incredible person, incredible player; obviously homegrown, young guy," Roseman said in February when asked about a potential new contract for Smith, a team captain. "Without getting into specifics, those are guys you don't really want to leave."

Smith and A.J. Brown have formed a lethal 1-2 receiving combination the last two seasons, playing off of each other perfectly. Smith is the silky-smooth route runner who has been uncoverable in single coverage in his three NFL seasons, and Smith's down-the-field explosiveness and ability to catch any football in his area code has been the stuff of multiple highlight films, and Brown has added his powerful receiving style to complement Smith.

Defenses have simply not been able to keep that twosome in check, and their third season together promises to be can't-miss football.

"He is a great receiver, always prepared and he works so hard on his craft," Brown said of Smith. "He does things that you see and you just go, 'Did he just make that catch?' I admire the way he approaches the game and how he plays out there."