Ravens WR Steve Smith‘s agent Derrick Fox made it seem like there’s at least a chance that his client could return for another season, even though he has said the plan is for him to hang it up after this season.
“I think he’s committed to the concept [of retirement], but I don’t think that the reality of it has set in that it means he can’t do what he loves to do and lives to do,” Fox said. “Pick me out any stadium on any Sunday anywhere in the NFL, and there’s not a guy that comes out on that field that loves to compete more than Steve — and he’s never lost that.
“I know this guy better than anybody but his wife. I’ve told him, ‘I don’t think that you’re really going to retire.’ The guy is just an insane competitor, and I think as long as his body works appropriately he’s really going to have a hard time next August saying, ‘Oh, wow. Guys are going to camp.’ He’s never experienced it in his entire life, and he’s got a lot left in the tank.”
When asked on the likelihood of Smith retiring, Fox said: “I’m 50-50. I’m not 51 percent or 49 percent. I’m right at 50 percent.”
Smith announced earlier in the season that he intends on retiring. He even said in a recent interview that “the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter,” in regards to walking away from the game.
Recent reports have said that they Ravens have communicated to Smith that they would like to bring him back next year, and they have no intention of fielding trade offers for him over the next week.
Smith, 36, has two years remaining on his three-year, $10.5 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $3 million this year and next.
This season, Smith has appeared in six games and caught 41 passes for 588 yards receiving and three touchdowns for the Ravens. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 3 receiver out of 107 qualifying players.
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