On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers released wide receiver Steve Smith in a move that has been anticipated.
Smith, a five-time Pro Bowler, will be 35 in May and is coming off of a season that included him catching just 64 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns. His 11.6 yards per catch average was the lowest it’s been since 2007.
While Smith is undersized, he still should be good for 60 catches next season and several believe he would be a fit with the Baltimore Ravens, and would team up nicely with Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones.
Another team that could be interested in Smith is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he would likely compliment Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams well.
Smith was scheduled to make $4 million in 2014 and by cutting him, the Panthers still have to pay him $3 million that was guaranteed him because of option bonus language in his contract.
Smith is as scrappy as they come and while he might only have a year or two left in him, he should land with another team quickly.
