Smith has been released by the Patriots, the Boston Globe reports. Smith, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, will now look to catch on elsewhere as a depth DE/LB after failing to carve out a role in the Patriots' defense this summer.

New Patriots DE Will Smith is still rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered last August.

Patriots signed DE Will Smith, formerly of the Saints.

Profootballtalk reports the Patriots are "viewed as the leaders" for free agent DE Will Smith.

Free agent DE Will Smith is visiting the Patriots. Shortly after his release from the Saints, ESPN Boston suggested the Patriots could be interested in Smith. The 33-year-old (in July) missed all of 2013 with a torn ACL and may not have much left in the tank. He'd function as a situational pass rusher in New England behind Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich.

According to NFL.com's Albert Breer, the Seahawks would be interested in free agent DE Will Smith if they failed to re-sign Michael Bennett. Smith would be a fit for the Seahawks' 4-3 defense after the Saints planned to square peg/round hole him into their new 3-4 scheme last season. The plan never came to fruition after Smith tore his ACL in training camp. Smith would be an intriguing signing as a bargain-basement, situational pass rusher.

Free agent DE/OLB Will Smith says he's "just about 100 percent" recovered from last August's ACL tear. "I had a whole year off with the ACL injury and I'm just about 100 percent," Smith said. The 32-year-old is hoping to latch on with a 4-3 defense, returning to his natural position of defensive end. "I think I'm at heart a 4-3 defensive end," he said. "That's something I would like to play. But if I go to a team that requires me to play outside linebacker, I'm cool with that."

ESPN Boston suggests the Patriots could be interested in free agent DE Will Smith. Smith was released by the Saints on Wednesday and is free to sign at any time. New England is looking for depth behind Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich, and Smith could fill that role as a situational pass rusher. He'll turn 33 in July and shouldn't command more than a one-year deal near the veteran's minimum.

The San Francisco Chronicle "can really see" the Raiders being interested in free agent DE Will Smith. Smith was released by the Saints on Wednesday and is free to sign with any other team immediately. Coach Dennis Allen was the Saints' assistant defensive line coach from 2006-2007 and was on the New Orleans staff until 2010. Those were Smith's glory days. All four of Oakland's defensive line starters from 2013 are free agents, but GM Reggie McKenzie needs to be aiming much higher. He has over $60 million in cap space. Smith is best-suited as a backup.

Saints informed DE/OLB Will Smith of his release. The move will likely be made official Thursday and saves the Saints $11.55 million against the 2014 salary cap. It was a no-brainer move, as New Orleans was about $13 million above the projected cap. Smith was never a fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker in Rob Ryan's defense; he's a natural 4-3 end. He'll turn 33 this summer, and we don't anticipate him having a hot market. GM Mickey Loomis' work isn't done. Other veterans that could be in trouble include CB Jabari Greer, WR Lance Moore and S Roman Harper, among others.