The Baltimore Ravens have reached a three-year deal with wide receiver Steve Smith. Smith has wanted to play in the slot for the past few years and could get that chance in Baltimore. Slot to 247Sports Newsletter. Most prominent players feeling the weight of the NFL's hype machine entering the 2020 season is Carolina Panthers wide receiver. Steve Smith spoke candidly.

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3. Steve Smith Slot Receivers

The New Orleans Saints have been the subject of trade rumors before the deadline, with All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas potentially on his way out. Amid a disastrous season for Thomas, don’t expect him to land elsewhere on Nov. 3.

Despite rumors that Thomas wants out of New Orleans and the organization isn’t pleased with his actions, the Saints will likely be quiet at the NFL trade deadline.

Saints rumors: Michael Thomas won’t be traded

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints aren’t making Thomas available to other NFL teams this season. Instead, New Orleans hopes he can return in Week 9 following a lengthy absence due to injuries and an off-field incident.

Slot Receiver Nfl

Thomas, who broke the NFL’s single-season reception record in 2019 (149), hasn’t played since Week 1. He suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, causing him to miss three games.

On the verge of returning in Week 5, New Orleans suspended its No. 1 receiver after he punched a teammate the day before a game. While the violent act was the final straw before discipline, Thomas had reportedly caused problems for the coaching staff all summer and became difficult for the organization to manage.

Finally, after their Week 6 bye, the Saints hoped Thomas would be fully healthy and ready to play in Week 7. Instead, he suffered a hamstring injury and has now missed the team’s last two games.

It’s understandable why the Saints would be frustrated with Thomas. He has played in just one game, in which he hauled in just three receptions for 17 yards. Frankly, he’s been a bigger negative this year with just as many first downs (one) as punches thrown.

Even if the Saints wanted to trade Thomas, their financial situation makes it an even bigger loss.

The NFL salary cap is expected to plummet in 2021 and the Saints are projected to be $87 million over the cap. Trading Thomas this year would result in a $20 million cap charge next season.

Ultimately, for a win-now team, keeping Thomas is the only logical move. He might cause more headaches along the way, but his impact when healthy is undeniable. Given how poorly the Saints have looked defensively, they can’t afford to trade offensive weapons.

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Today’s big winner: Steve Smith

“There’s going to be blood and guts everywhere.”

That’s how Steve Smith chose to describe the next time he ever sets foot in Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. But Smith could have been describing the fate of most aging players during free agency.

Smith will be 35 in May, and has played all 13 of his NFL seasons at Carolina. Over his tenure with the Panthers, he’s morphed from deadly deep threat to serviceable slot receiver. Smith was the guy Cam Newton went to for possession last season, not for points. Smith signed a contract extension in 2012 that paid $16.8 million in guaranteed money and a $10 million signing bonus. That’s a lot of money for a guy who caught four touchdowns in 2013.

Slot Receiver In Football

Ice up, son. Time to go.

The Panthers made the right decision. It’s OK to feel melancholy about it. But Carolina can feel melancholy knowing they saved themselves from a $7 million cap hit in 2014 by letting Smith go.

And the ensuing “blood and guts” that Smith has promised? It’s an endearing sentiment. One you’d probably expect from Smith. But it’s just talk at this point.

If reports prove true, the Baltimore Ravens are primed to sign Smith in hopes of finally replacing Anquan Boldin, who left the team in 2012. Boldin’s last year in Baltimore yielded near identical, and equally average numbers, as Smith’s 2013 in Carolina. That’s what happens when good receivers age.

The decision was easy, even if the consequences were hard.

*****

Steve Smith Slot Receivers

More of today’s winners …

Richard Sherman is willing to fight anyone on Twitter this offseason.

Steve Nash gave a perfectly reasonable explanation for playing in the NBA for too long.

ESPN has announced Brent Musburger’s replacement. No surprise really.

Hockey players brutally punch each other repeatedly. Then, they high fived.

The New England Patriots are winning the NFL offseason and it isn’t even close.