The Eagles made a bold bet on this WR. Now he has to prove them right

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Howie Roseman and the Eagles made a bet when they traded for Dontayvion Wicks and signed him to a contract extension. Now, it’s up to the Eagles’ new wide receiver to pay it off.


And Wicks knows it.


Wicks was acquired back in April, with the Eagles sending a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder to the Green Bay Packers in exchange. After the trade, Wicks inked a contract extension worth $12.5 million, keeping him in Philadelphia through the 2027 season.


The trade and decision to sign Wicks was met with mixed reviews. Some saw it as a savvy move by Roseman to add an underrated receiver to help offset the eventual loss of A.J. Brown. Others saw it as an overpay for a role player who was being phased out of Green Bay.


Wicks, meanwhile, saw it as an opportunity to prove himself.


“It showed me the value and the love that Philly has for me,” Wicks said of the trade and contract. “I want to come out and show what I’m worth while being here. And I’m thankful.”


Wicks started to show what he’s worth during organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp. With first-round rookie Makai Lemon mostly sidelined with a hamstring issue, Wicks operated as the WR2 behind DeVonta Smith, and he was making plays.

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Green Bay wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of the Thanksgiving Day game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)

Spring practices were a good start for Wicks, the 24-year-old who was a consistent contributor with the Packers. From 2023-25, Wicks recorded 108 catches on 180 targets for 1,328 yards, averaging 3.91 targets per game in 46 appearances. He was never the Packers’ WR1; that title fluctuated between Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs. But in an offense focused on finding the open guy, not force-feeding a top target, Wicks fit in Green Bay.


That’s part of the reason why Wicks should be a fit in Philly. He’s plenty familiar with Sean Mannion, the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator who worked as an offensive assistant in Green Bay for the last two seasons. He also knows Eagles tight ends coach Ryan Mahaffey, who coached the Packers’ wide receivers in 2024 and 2025.


“We built a relationship, and relationships play a big part in things,” Wicks said. “I felt like that was a big part of the reason why they trust me to be here, to bank on me. That was from the trust I built up with Sean and Coach Mahaffey.”


There’s still a learning curve for Wicks. Mannion is a first-time play-caller, and the Eagles won’t run exactly what the Packers did during their tenure together in Green Bay.


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But Mannion knows what kind of receiver Wicks is. He understands how to best use him. And Wicks understands what it’s like to take advantage of opportunities when they come.


Smith will be the clear-cut No. 1 target in the passing game. Lemon, assuming he gets healthy and ramps up in training camp, should be featured out of the slot. Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore were offseason additions, Dallas Goedert returns at tight end and Eli Stowers was a second-round pick. Jalen Hurts is going to have options.


But after watching five practices during the spring, it’s obvious that Wicks has the footwork, the hands and the nerve to make an impact in 2026.


We’ll find out for sure if the Eagles’ bet on him pays off in the fall.

Eagles News​

• This 5th-round pick could quietly play a major role for the Eagles Jun. 23, 2026, 6:00a.m.
• Donovan McNabb’s son was offered by Syracuse but will play college football elsewhere Jun. 22, 2026, 7:38a.m.
• This Eagles free agent has everyone talking after a standout spring: ‘He’s really special’ Jun. 22, 2026, 6:00a.m.
• What’s going on with this Eagles star’s contract situation? Jun. 19, 2026, 6:00a.m.

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