PHILADELPHIA — Steve Smith has been a flop with the Eagles, but the wide receiver says he has 1.3 million reasons — as in dollars — for not regretting his decision to spurn the Giants.
Asked by The Post yesterday if he wished he had stayed with the Giants, Smith said: “Oh, no. It’s a business. I’d rather have more money in my pocket.”
Smith was referring to the one-year, reported $2.3 million deal offered by Philadelphia last summer that trumped the one-year, $1 million contract proposed by the Giants because of concerns about his slow recovery from microfracture left knee surgery.
Just as the Giants predicted, Smith has given the Eagles little return on that large investment with 10 receptions for 110 yards and no touchdowns in spot action.
Smith could have a bigger role Sunday at the MetLife Stadium against his former team because of fellow wideout Jeremy Maclin’s uncertain playing status. If so, Smith could use the snaps to make up for a pass he bobbled in the first meeting with the Giants in September that resulted in an interception in the Philadelphia loss.
Smith also is getting heat for muffing a punt and not realizing he was short of the first down on a key third-down play in the second half of last Sunday’s backbreaking 21-17 home loss to the Cardinals.
But if you listen to Smith, his stint with the Giants’ bitter NFC East rival has been a success.
“It’s been a tough season, but it’s been a good season because I [surpassed] expectations of myself by playing in [Week 1] when everybody thought I was going to be on the [physically unable to perform list],” Smith said.
bhubbuch@nypost.com