The Facts: With the Jets were willing to cut ties with proven wideouts such as Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, it's worth wondering why the front office operatives would explore the possibility of coaxing another wide receiver out of retirement. The Jets contacted Smith about playing in 2017, NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reported Tuesday. "Yes, the Jets reached out to Steve Smith, asked if he was still interested in playing," Jones explained. "He indicated he wasn't."

Diehards Line: NFL.com suggests we chalk this up to a case of the Jets simply performing due diligence, updating the Smith file to gauge his resolve in walking away from football with a year or two still left in the tank. It would make little sense for the Jets to cut Marshall and Decker only to turn around and sign the game's oldest receiver. It would make even less sense for Smith to unretire for the opportunity to join an organization ostensibly punting the 2017 season.