NFL Rumors: Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith has no current plans to retire

Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

With the NFL Free Agency season looming right ahead, there is a good chance that the Carolina Panthers could decide that it’s time to move on from veteran wide receiver Steve Smith after 13 years. Should this occur, there have been some out there that believe it would signal the retirement of Smith, which they might be wrong in assuming.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Smith was asked about hanging up the cleats after one of the more successful careers in the last decade at his position, and he blew off any talk of packing it in.

"“Today?” Smith recently said to Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer. “No, I’m not ready to not play today.”"

The subject was then brought up about a split between he and the Panthers and whether or not having to start somewhere fresh would impact a retirement decision.

"“I’m not even going to think that far ahead,” Smith said."

Smith is currently 33-years-old and moving up some of the NFL’s all-time receiving lists rapidly.

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