OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Steve Smith sounds like a man who’s ready to close the door on an NFL career that has spanned 16 seasons and taken him well beyond his 37th birthday.

“Whether you want to or not, you’ve got to move on,” Smith said Wednesday. “It’s part of life. The world still turns.”

The five-time Pro Bowl receiver will play in his 230th NFL game Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens finish the season against Cincinnati.

Standing in front of the media wearing a Darth Vader costume, Smith said he’s “about 89 percent sure” it will mark the end of his stellar career.

He used that number because he wears No. 89.

Though Smith spoke with deep emotion during his 10-minute session, he did not formally announce his retirement.

Smith broke into the league in 2001 with Carolina and played with the Panthers for 13 seasons before coming to Baltimore.

Smith’s value to a team transcends mere grit and determination. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 14,697 yards receiving and is 12th with 1,028 receptions.