Getty Images

With Steve Smith out in Carolina, many believe the team will now bring Hakeem Nicks home to Charlotte. And while that could go a long way toward calming down some restless Panthers fans, there’s no clear indication it will happen.

A league source tells PFT that, as of last night, the Panthers had shown no interest in Nicks.

As we’ve previously suggested, Gettleman’s interest — or lack thereof — in Nicks will be telling. Gettleman worked for the Giants when Nicks was drafted, and through several years of his career. Gettleman still knows people with the team. Whatever happened over the last two years to make Nicks career go awry, Gettleman knows more about it than any other G.M.

So if Gettleman doesn’t want Nicks, that’s a problem. For Nicks.