Not to long ago it was reported that the Carolina Panthers and Steve Smith were ready and willing to part ways but Steve Wyche of NFL.com thinks that those reports may have been a little premature.
“I have a feeling that he will remain there,” said Wyche during a chat session. “The Panthers aren’t going to trade him just to trade him, and I don’t think most teams would give Carolina a high enough draft pick to warrant them dealing him. I don’t think Smith is as disenfranchised as we all believe and it sounds like he wouldn’t mind playing with [Cam] Newton.”
Wyche makes a good point regarding Smith’s current value. It was reported months ago that it would take a second-round pick to get a deal done but Smith’s production has declined in recent years and at 32 there will be questions about his ability moving forward. The production can be linked to the teams poor quarterback play and the other less talented wide receivers have proven to be valuable assets well into their 30’s so he’s worth a a second-round pick but the question will be whether or not teams see that as a reasonable asking price. Rumored destinations are San Diego and New England.
If Smith stays in Carolina, there’s a chance that he and Cam Newton can turn the team’s dismal offense around. After all, the Panthers aren’t the most talent depleted team in the NFL, especially if they’re able to retain DeAngelo Williams.
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