"When Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith put his home up for sale a few months ago, the conventional wisdom was that it was a sign he wants to be traded.

He has danced around the question of whether he wants to be traded, saying he wants to be in a "competitive situation." That doesn't describe the Panthers, who were 2-14 last year.

He then told Pro Football Weekly, "I think it's important that people realize I am not packing my bags."

He then gave a surprising reason for wanting to sell his house. He said he built one that is too big.

"We built this huge house and we just didn't have any business living in it. It seemed like a great idea, and then we moved into this big house. We started cringing at all he space that we had," he said. "For me, it was a little bit vain that I have this big house with this big yard. People saw my house was for sale and said it me sending a message [that he wanted to be traded]. Really, the message I sent was to my kids. Dad made a mistake. This isn't how we are supposed to live. This isn't what I should be projecting. If we don't do this now, what incentive do I give to my kids to reach for? You make a bit a money and then you go blow it? I don't want to be a statistic. I want to be a good steward.""