John Harbaugh expects Steve Smith to return to Ravens
Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he expects wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. to return next season, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports.
Smith, 35, had 79 catches for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Ravens. In two playoff games, he caught eight balls for 145 yards and a touchdown.
After the Ravens lost to the New England Patriots, Smith said he would return. Speaking at the combine on Wednesday, Harbaugh confirmed Smith was planning on returning next season.
“I talked to Steve last week, he's excited,” Harbaugh said. “He's planning on being back. We're planning on having him back. That's a goal of ours. I don't see any reason why that wouldn't happen.”
• BANKS: Questions linger for GMs, coaches at NFL combine
After playing the first 13 seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers, Smith signed a three-year, $11 million contract last year with the Ravens. He led the team in receiving yards and was third in touchdowns in 2014.
Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak left to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos, and the Ravens hired former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman to replace him.
Kubiak brought quarterbacks coach Rick Dennison with him to Denver as his offensive coordinator. The Ravens brought in former New York Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg as their new quarterbacks coach.
• Browns 'proud' of Johnny Manziel's decision to enter rehab
- Paul Palladino
