Could Steve Smith Sign with the New England Patriots?

In case you hadn’t heard, the Carolina Panthers are releasing Steve Smith today. With Julian Edelman on the free agent market and looking more and more likely to depart, the Patriots could be in the market for a veteran receiver such as smith. Eric Edholm of Yahoo!’s Shutdown Corner thinks that a Smith-Patriots union would make a lot of sense considering the close friendship that Smith and Patriots newcomer Darrelle Revis have:

The New England Patriots might be in the market for a veteran receiver, regardless of whether Julian Edelman skips town but most certainly if he does. The Patriots made a win-now move by signing cornerback Darrelle Revis, and Smith and Revis are close friends off the field. They have done battle several times the past few seasons, and each one has paid each other a lot of public respect. The two could choose to join forced on a Super Bowl-caliber Patriots roster, also giving Tom Brady another dependable receiver to throw to and one who can help mentor their younger wideouts. Smith and Danny Amendola also are close, having done charity work previously together.

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer also reported this morning that the Patriots were one of five teams that Smith gave to Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman as teams he would like to be traded to.

We don’t know yet whether or not the Patriots would be interested. But the team may need another weapon at the position and despite his age (35), Smith has still shown the ability to produce.

One thing that should be noted, however: Steve Smith may not be long for the open market as it appears that he and the Baltimore Ravens have a strong mutual interest as well.