Jets Expressed Interest in Steve Smith Earlier This Year, WR 'Happily Retired'

The New York Jets are now in need of receivers, but Steve Smith is reportedly not going to be an option.

According to Kimberly Jones of NFL Network, the Jets approached Smith about possibly signing with the team earlier this offseason but he instead said he is "happily retired."

The 38-year-old ended his career in January after 16 seasons in the NFL.

As he explained in his retirement letter, he will "no longer be antagonizing defensive backs."

Smith finished his career with 1,031 catches and 81 touchdowns, while ranking seventh in NFL history with 14,731 receiving yards. He also showed he can still be effective with 70 catches last season in his return from an Achilles injury.

Still, the Jets will apparently have to look in another direction to fill their holes at receiver.

New York lost Brandon Marshall earlier in the offseason and have chosen to release or trade Eric Decker, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.

Although the Jets added ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen in the NFL draft, they could still use some help going into 2017.