Steve Smith has no plans to retire, will return to Ravens

Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith cleared up any doubts about his plans for next season after the team's loss to the New England Patriots on Saturday night.

As a source with knowledge of Smith's thinking has previously indicated several times, the five-time Pro Bowl selection is going to fulfill the second year of his three-year, $11 million contract. The plan all along for Smith has been to play at least two more seasons for the Ravens, if not longer.

Smith wrote on his official Instagram account that he plans to be back for a 15th NFL season. Smith caught 79 passes for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season.

"ravensnation thank you so much for embracing me," Smith wrote. "I hoped for a good season and now I look back it was a GREAT season this old man played for you and my teammates I've enjoyed every moment and couldn't have asked for a better fan base. Look forward to a better season next year and watch us go WIN IT ALL."

With fellow receiver Torrey Smith scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, the Ravens need Steve Smith to return.

During the playoffs, Steve Smith caught five passes for 101 yards in an AFC wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and had three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots.

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With a feisty, competitive nature, Smith injected toughness, leadership and savvy into the Ravens' offense.

"I am not disappointed by any means, and it was a hard-fought game," Smith said after the game. "I give hats off to the New England Patriots. We battled our tails off, and it was a fun game.

"It was a great game and, as a Baltimore Raven, there is nothing to be disappointed about. It was a lot of back-and-forth and there were some stalls on offense on both sides. In the end, we just didn't have enough points."

awilson@baltsun.com

twitter.com/RavensInsider

Steve Smith has no plans to retire, will return to Ravens

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