The ranks of Northern Colorado Bears in the NFL is thinning and who knows how much longer any of the current three players in the NFL will last. While Vincent Jackson is likely to hit it big in free agency and Reed Doughty has completed six years in the league, elder statesman Aaron Smith might be close to hanging things up:
Ravens are releasing CB Chris Carr and Steelers are releasing DL Aaron Smith #insideslant
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 1, 2012
This in no way means he is going to retire, but at age 36 Smith has played in just 15 games over the last three season due to a variety of injuries. Smith has played his entire career with the Stelers, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
Smith has accumulated 44 sacks in 13 season. He's won two Super Bowls and made the Pro Bowl in 2004.
For more on Pittsburgh, head over to Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain and SB Nation Pittsburgh. Check out SB Nation NFL for more on the upcoming free agent frenzy.