National Football League

Panthers' Steve Smith signs extension

Published Apr. 10, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Wide receiver Steve Smith is now expected to finish his career where it began.

The Panthers have announced Smith has agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2015 season. There is also a team option for the 2016 season.

''Steve has been a difference maker at receiver for us since he's been here,'' Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. ''It's always good to keep your core players. We felt like Steve made it very clear that he wanted to finish career as a Panther. We're glad he did.''

The Panthers have called a 3 p.m. press conference to announce the new deal. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available.

''The Panthers wanted to try to lock him down for the future and Steve is simply ecstatic about being able to finish his career in Carolina,'' Smith's agent Derrick Fox said. ''He loves playing for coach Ron Rivera is excited about the things to come in Carolina. A lot of L.A. (Los Angeles) guys want to get back to the West Coast, but Steve and his family love living in Charlotte.''

Smith, who turns 33 in May, ranks 32nd all-time in NFL history in receiving yards and is coming off his fifth Pro Bowl season. He's spent all 11 seasons with the Panthers after being selected in the third round out of Utah in 2001.

Last season he caught 79 passes for 1,394 yards with seven touchdowns playing under new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski in a pass-first offense. Smith went to the Pro Bowl along with rookie quarterback Cam Newton.

Hurney acknowledged Smith's age is a concern, but he feels like the veteran will continue to prove he's still a valuable player.

''There aren't a lot of receivers who play up into their upper 30s, but if anyone can do it it's Steve,'' Hurney said. ''His work ethic and his desire and his competitiveness are what set him apart from everyone else. He knows he's getting older. But he works so hard to keep himself in top condition. He knows with every year he has to work harder and harder. He's just so competitive.''

This is the third time the Panthers have extended Smith's contract without him becoming a free agent.

After signing his rookie deal on June 19, 2001, Smith signed his first extension on March 1, 2007 just days before he was to hit the free agent market.

However, he was so productive, the Panthers gave him a new six-year, $45 million extension on May 4, 2007.

Smith's current contract was set to expire after this season.

Smith has caught 699 passes during his career for 10,278 yards with 59 touchdown receptions. He also has six returns for touchdowns - four on punts and two on kickoffs.