If you are using random primers (dN9s), then you will get different size cDNA products because the RT reaction will initiate at different points along the RNA template. These different size cDNA products may look like a degraded smear on the gel.
If you are using a single gene-specific primer, then likely your RNA is getting degraded not the cDNA. RNA is much more unstable than DNA, and RNases are very ubiquitous (on your skin, in your breath, etc) so they are a common contaminant. Degraded RNA will generate different size cDNA products during the RT reaction.