Ron Rivera has admitted that he does not know whether Steve Smith will be with the Carolina Panthers for the 2014 NFL season.
The wide receiver, who recorded 745 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2013, is under contract for next season, but is due a $4m (£2.4m) guaranteed salary, leading to speculation that the veteran may be released.
The head coach told NFL Network: "It's all about the evaluations. We got to look through everything, there's a lot of scenarios that we're putting together as a football team.
"Not quite sure. Again, we are in a process right now that we're getting ready to evaluate the college football players. When we get back into town, we'll sit down and start talking about what has to happen when we start getting ready for free agency."
The Panthers reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last year.