In 11 NFL seasons, cornerback Richard Sherman earned Pro Bowl selection five times and first-team All-Pro recognition three times. His 37 career interceptions are the most in the NFL since his first season in 2011.

But during his most recent podcast, Sherman recalled how Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith showed him his time in the NFL was running out.

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Sherman’s guest for the podcast was Eagles All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and when the pair of all-stars were talking about preparing for and managing the physical demands of the NFL as older players, Sherman recalled covering Smith during the former Alabama All-American’s rookie season.

“I had just came to Tampa and that was my third game, and we had y’all on a Thursday night,” Sherman said. “And DeVonta must have ran this comeback, and I had him under control. … He must have stopped, and I tried to stop, and my whole groin said, ‘Snap, snap, snap, snap.’ I said, ‘Oh, whoa, whoa.’ And then you’re trying to guard him, chasing him around, like ‘Please don’t throw him the ball. Please.’ And our coach is looking at me on the sideline like, ‘Hey, you want to come out? You want to come out?’ Yeah, but they’re in the hurry-up, so I’m like bailing out.

“At that moment, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is probably my last year. I don’t got it for these young dudes.’”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 28-22 victory over Philadelphia on Oct. 14, 2021, was the 142nd NFL regular-season game of Sherman’s career. He played in only two more.

The contest was the sixth NFL game for Smith. He came to the Eagles as the 10th pick in the 2021 draft after winning the 2020 Heisman Trophy for Alabama’s undefeated CFP national-championship team.

Smith had two receptions for 31 yards against the Buccaneers, but he went on to set a franchise rookie record for receiving yards with 916 on 64 catches.

In his second season, Smith had 95 receptions for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season and 15 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown in three postseason games as Philadelphia won the NFC championship and played in Super Bowl LVII. Smith’s 95 receptions set a single-season franchise record for wide receivers.

The Eagles lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s NFL championship game.

Johnson said he thought Philadelphia had what it took to return to the Super Bowl this season.

“I think mentally just staying on top of stuff is going to be key,” Johnson said.

Sherman played in the Super Bowl three times, including back-to-back championship games. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014, and lost to the New England Patriots 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015.

The Eagles are scheduled to report to training camp on July 25. Philadelphia kicks off its three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 12, when it visits the Baltimore Ravens.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.