Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., will reportedly not be traded before the Nov. 3 deadline, according to NFL reporter Chris Wesseling.
Smith is clearly the top target for the Ravens and even after missing a game, is still 245 yards ahead of their second-leading receiver. Smith has been dynamic on the field this season, and accounts for almost one-third of quarterback Joe Flacco's passing yards.
The 36-year-old wide receiver has 36 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns. Smith suffered small fractures in his back against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and only missed one game before returning to the field. In his first game back this past Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, he caught seven passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.
The Ravens are 1-5, and only have a 2.4 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Football Outsiders' playoff odds. Smith said before the season that this would be his last year playing football, and many think the Ravens should try to get something out of their star player other than production on the field.
Baltimore is in desperate need of offensive weapons, and trading Smith could allow it to build for the future. If the Ravens trade Smith, it will make it look like they are already focused on next season, but starting 1-5 in a division with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers may just be what they need to do.
Smith's son used his twitter account to write that the Panthers should trade all their receivers to Baltimore to bring back his dad. It's an interesting thought, but Carolina is probably just focused on staying undefeated and not making any big trades.
Smith played 13 seasons in Carolina before coming to Baltimore, and the numbers he has put up in his career are Hall of Fame noteworthy. For right now, it looks like Smith will finish his career in Baltimore, and barring a huge turnaround, it looks like the postseason won't include one of the greatest receivers in the game.
