The agent for wide receiver Steve Smith says his client has played his final snap for the Panthers, writes Steve Reed of the Associated Press. Smith’s longtime representative Derrick Fox says the five-time Pro Bowler “is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just don’t know when that transaction is going to take place.”
Fox added that the Panthers have been trying to trade Smith, but expects he will ultimately be released. Meanwhile, the Panthers have not asked the veteran to restructure his contract which calls for him to make $7MM under this year’s salary cap. No matter what Carolina does, they’ll be on the hook for $3MM as part of the three-year deal he signed in 2012.
Smith had 64 receptions for 746 yards and four touchdowns last season, helping the Panthers go 12-4 in the regular season and capture the NFC South championship. Fox said Smith plans to continue his playing career in the NFL when the Panthers cut ties and said that his client would like to get back to playing slot.
Smith is Carolina’s all-time leading receiver with 836 receptions for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns receiving. He’s also is 19th all-time in NFL history in yards receiving and 25th in receptions.
Bring him to Cleveland to play opposite josh Gordon