Is Steve Smith looking to play beyond the 2015 season?

Unless you are a fan of a rival team in the AFC North, you are probably hoping Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith reconsiders his decision to retire following the 2015 season.

Smith, 36, is still among the best receivers in the NFL. Despite missing one game with a back injury, the five-time Pro Bowler is on pace to put up 108 receptions for 1,500-plus yards heading into Week 7.

This performance has given many pundits and fans pause, especially considering Smith announced his intention for this to be his final season prior to the start of the year.

In speaking to the media ahead of Baltimore's eventual loss to the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, Smith wouldn't rule out a return in 2016:

"I'm just trying to make it to the airport today, and you're talking about retirement," Smith said, via ESPN. "I'm just taking one day at a time. I'm just trying to be able to get myself together to get ready to play the next game."

It's hard for anyone outside of Smith himself to gauge where he's at heading into the middle point of the season. At just 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, no one really expected Smith to last 15 years in the NFL. The bumps and bruises that come with playing 203 games while absorbing hits on a smallish frame has likely taken a major toll here.

Smith didn't proclaim that he's returning for the 2016 season. But the simple fact that he refused to reiterate his stance from earlier this year has to be taken into account. The veteran has never been one to beat around the bush when talking to the media.

This has to lead us to believe that he's at least considering playing another season. If so, football fans the world over should be ecstatic.

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