Steve Smith wants to get 15 or 16 seasons in

Steve Smith figures he’s got three or four more seasons in him, counting this year, as the Carolina Panthers wide receiver prepares for the grind.

Smith, who is entering his 13th season in the NFL, all with the Panthers, says he would like to play 15 or 16 years.

I want to play that long,” Smith said, according to Tom Sorenson of the Charlotte Observer. “I’m in the part of my career where I want to be part of something that’s great that, once I’m done playing, I can say, ‘Hey, I was part of that.’”

Smith is still playing at a high level at age 34 but he’s not the quite the same player he was say seven years ago. Smith’s production has increased the last two seasons with Cam Newton playing quarterback after dipping prior to that. In the last two years he has caught 152 passes for 2,568 yards and 11 touchdowns.

What remains to be seen is whether or not he can maintain the high level of production. If he can, another two or three years surely will not be a problem.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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