Getty Images

Late last season, Carolina’s Steve Smith went to Panthers owner Jerry Richardson’s house and asked to be traded.

Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer confirms this with multiple sources, and we’ve seen it elsewhere. Before the lockout started, the Panthers reportedly started to shop Smith around quietly.

While Smith has mostly stayed quiet on the issue this offseason, his desire to leave the team seems pretty obvious. And the Panthers seem open to the idea.

If Smith is dealt, Sorensen writes that his teams of choice include the Chargers and Ravens. Basically, he wants to go to a playoff contender.

The Chargers were rumored in connection to Smith earlier this offseason, and make a lot of sense because they could use another veteran receiver.