With the Ravens sitting at 1-5 this season, there has been plenty of media speculation that the team should trade veteran Steve Smith Sr. to a contender in need of a receiver. The narrative suggests that with Smith retiring after the season, the Ravens might as well get a draft pick for him while they can.
Head Coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the Ravens have no plans to make that kind of move.
"That's the first I've heard that one. There's no chance of that," Harbaugh said Friday. "I wouldn't part with him."
Smith feels the same way as Harbaugh, and has no interest to go anywhere else.
"If they traded me, I'd quit today," Smith said. "I like to finish what I started."
The 36-year-old receiver has been the Ravens' biggest playmaker this year. He leads the team with 36 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns. He also embraces the kind of player that the Ravens want in the locker room, as he's currently playing through microfractures in his back.
Smith announced before the season that he would retire after this year, and he has been asked several times recently whether he would amend that decision to stay for another season. Smith said this week he's still "on schedule" for his planned retirement, and that he's more focused with helping the Ravens get on track this year.
"We're trying to fix all the damn holes in this boat right now. That's what we're focusing on," he said. "Our focus is on Arizona."
