“Both of them gotta pay” - Star 49ers CB puts Eagles receivers on notice 

Green Bay Packers v San Francisco 49ers
Jimmie Ward at San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks

The Philadelphia Eagles are in the Super Bowl and with that comes a target. Specifically, two receivers on the team seem to be in the midst of drawing the ire of secondaries.

According to JPA on Twitter, when speaking on a livestream, 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward revealed his mission to go after DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown.

“When I catch DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown, when I move back to safety. Somebody's gotta pay. Hopefully, both of them gotta pay.”

The threat may have come before the 49ers and Eagles squared off in the NFC Championship, but this is unconfirmed. However, no matter when the threat was made, it may reveal that the two young receivers have reached a new level of notoriety in the NFL. Additionally, after the way the game ended, one could surmise that the threat stands as it is.

Of course, Brown is well known for his work with the Titans. But the duo of Brown and Smith appears to have become a puzzle that teams think about going into their next matchup.

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DeVonta Smith at Super Bowl LVII Opening Night presented by Fast Twitch
DeVonta Smith at Super Bowl LVII Opening Night presented by Fast Twitch

Most agree that the former Titans receiver was as consistent as they come at his first NFL team. In his first two years, he earned 1,000 yards per season. In his final year with the franchise in 2021, he earned 869 yards.

That said, not many thought it was going to be his final year, but he was moved to the Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft.

In his first season with the Eagles, he rocketed to a career-high 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns. His inaugural season in Philadelphia saw his yardage production jump almost 50 percent, compared to his best in Tennessee.

Meanwhile, DeVonta Smith wrapped up college football in 2020 as one of the best receivers in the FBS. However, since then, he's remained at a steady high pace. Smith earned 916 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season and 95 catches for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.

If any of the above quotes are used, please credit JPA and H/T Sportskeeda.

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