Steve Smith has 13 years of strong numbers in the NFL and he is looking to add a few more before calling it quits. While the wide receiver has every intention of returning to the Carolina Panthers, it is unclear if the team has the same plans. Smith is approaching 36 and after Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman question in the wide receiver's future, Smith could be forced to head elsewhere.
Both Gettleman and head coach Ron Rivera have remained non-committal on what Smith's future holds and whether he still fits in with the Panthers. Gettleman praised the veteran for the numbers he has put up with the Panthers over the year, but followed that up by saying no player is ever their forever. Was he hinting at early retirement or just a salary cap casualty? Rivera took the same approach.
"Steve is part of what we're doing in going forward," Rivera said, via the Charlotte Observer. "How big of an impact he's going to have for us, that's to be determined as we start going through this draft process and through the free agency. My understanding is yes he wants to come back. We have to go through our process. We have to do the things we need to do before we start coming out and talking about where we're going and how we're going to get there. We know what we want to do. We're working on plans right now. We'll get together with Dave in the next few days, and we'll go forward."
Smith was not thrilled at the comments noting he was not made aware that the team was considering releasing him. Smith has three-years remaining on his current contract, but is a $7 million salary cap hit for the upcoming season. The team has until the end of June to exercise a 2016 option at $1.5 million.
"We have to read into things and we try not to, but when you speak of an individual's career in the past tense it would ultimately suggest that a team is moving on,'' Smith said, via ESPN.com. "No one has still reached out to me and told me anything. My agent has contacted the team and is just trying to find out what's going on. To be honest, I have no idea what my future holds.''
So if Smith is a cap casualty, where could he be headed? Several teams could be looking to acquire a veteran to add to the rotation. Smith is used to be the No. 1 receiver on a team, but a dip in production will likely they change that with any other team. The Oakland Raiders, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers are all in need of wide receivers at a cheaper price and Smith could be their top target if available.
