Roquan Smith Requests Trade out of Chicago

[nj meadowlands]

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Bears LB Roquan Smith requests trade out of Chicago

Published: Aug 09, 2022 at 08:47 AM

Nick Shook

Around The NFL Writer

 

Roquan Smith's desire for a lucrative contract extension has yet to be addressed, and his camp's patience is running thin.

The linebacker has formally requested a trade, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

Smith has consistently produced as one of Chicago's best defenders, earning two straight second-team All-Pro selections in his last two seasons. However, the Bears have yet to make Smith a serious offer for a long-term deal that would keep him in Chicago for years to come, prompting Smith to sit out of practice since training camp opened nearly two weeks ago.

The perception of Smith seems to vary depending on who you ask. He hasn't earned a Pro Bowl selection from the voting populace, but media members holding All-Pro votes haven't shied from recognizing his performance. Pro Football Focus doesn't hold the same opinion on Smith, whom the website sees as a middling defender, based on his best single-season defensive grade finishing at just 67.2.

Chicago seems to be following the same logic with Smith, who is due $9.7 million in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

The Bears are entering a new era under general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus, two men who had zero involvement with selecting Smith eighth overall in 2018. Although Smith has proven to be a quality linebacker, he's not a player Poles and Eberflus picked, nor is he one they're scrambling to lock up -- at least not as of now.

Chicago is in the midst of a rebuild of sorts, turning toward a younger roster with long-term goals in mind. Smith would seem to fit into such plans, unless he's not the ideal fit for the new regime.

We'll see if another team likes Smith enough to attempt to pry him from the Bears.

 

[Spoot-Face]

Can he play OT?

[BigRy56]

I would love to have him - he's a cornerstone player. But we'd have to give him what we are currently giving Mosely and that doesn't seem possible right now

[nj meadowlands]

Wonder what this would require.  I have no idea what the trade market value is for LBs (anyone got any recent comps?).  But, this guy is really good.  But, he's also due for a big new contract soon.  But, perhaps the Jets could be players since Mosley can be cut after this year with only 3 million dead cap.

So... Mims and a 6th?

[nj meadowlands]

1 minute ago, Spoot-Face said:

Can he play OT?

Yeah, I guess the problem is more the financial allocation that needs to be pushed toward OT right now.

[Embrace the Suck]

2 minutes ago, Spoot-Face said:

Can he play OT?

Maybe if he gains weight. Have him start hanging out with MB (too soon?).

[Bronx]

I feel relieved that we only have to worry about OTs, LBs and a SS. Usually this time of the year we would be talking about needing a kicker.

Woo hoo we dodged that bullet! 

#overthehump

[heymangold]

Mims + 5th for Smith and Teven Jenkins - who says no!?

[nj meadowlands]

Just now, Bronx said:

I feel relieved that we only have to worry about OTs, LBs and a SS. Usually this time of the year we would be talking about needing a kicker, woo hoo we dodged that bullet! 

#overthehump

It has certainly helped that Douglas invests his top draft capital in premium positions rather than defensive tackles over and over again.

Next year's draft mandate is pretty clearly going to be an OT.... unless Zach is historically bad and we're picking Stroud or Young 1 or 2.  But aside from that, OT and LB are the natural targets.

[UntouchableCrew]

Four years ago when we had no talent to worry about paying it was dumb to pay CJ Mosley — but I could understand it. There weren’t many big contracts coming due for us and we needed to improve the team.

Now that we have a young foundation we’ll need to pay in a few years signing a LB to a massive deal makes zero sense at all.