Justin Smith: 'I might retire before end of contract'

Justin Smith has said that he may retire from playing in the NFL before the end of his new contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

The defensive tackle penned a contract extension earlier this week, keeping him with the Super Bowl runners-up until the end of the 2015 season.

The 33-year-old told the San Francisco Chronicle: "I'm playing this [year]. I know that for a fact and then we'll go from there. But I feel good. That's the main thing.

"I won't be a guy that's around for 10 snaps, 20 snaps. It's either I'm going [to play full time], or I'm not going. And when it's time to get my ass out of here, I'm going. I get a ticket like everybody else, so that's what I'm doing."

Smith is currently recovering from surgery to repair a triceps tear.