National Football League

Reports: Panthers continue to shop Steve Smith

Published Mar. 11, 2014 9:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

While most teams spent their Tuesday focused on acquiring free agents or releasing high-priced veterans, the Carolina Panthers continued to search for a trade partner to take veteran wide receiver Steve Smith, according to multiple reports.

While Smith's $7 million cap hit in in 2014 is more than the team wants to absorb, Smith is still arguably the team’s most productive receiving threat — particularly with No. 2 wideout Brandon LaFell an unrestricted free agent himself.

If the Panthers cut Smith, they'll owe him $3 million in fully guaranteed salary. If the Panthers can trade Smith, they'd owe him nothing.

"Here's all I have to say about it," Smith said last week in an interview on ESPN. "I am working out and doing all the things as I am a Carolina Panther. That's where I am. And I'll continue to move forward until I am told otherwise."

Smith, 34, is coming off a season in which he had 64 receptions for 745 yards and four touchdowns.