Following Roquan Smith this yr has been a rollercoaster. He completed the most productive season of his occupation in 2021. Then he determined to go into a pivotal low season without a agent, feeling he may just deal with contract negotiations himself. Things temporarily went sideways because the linebacker let issues get non-public regardless of truthful negotiating ways from GM Ryan Poles. Smith became down a large extension, believing he may just play out 2022, dominate, and money within the following low season.
That determination seems to had been faulty. Smith had one exceptional recreation this yr in opposition to Houston a couple of weeks in the past. Outside of that, he’s been in large part disappointing at his new out of doors linebacker spot. It sounds loopy when the fellow is on the right track for 183 tackles this yr. That is deceptive. He’s ignored a number of run suits right through video games and is lacking tackles. QBs also are finishing extra passes in his path than ever earlier than. The have an effect on performs haven’t been there. It would possibly provide an explanation for why industry rumors are choosing up once more, as Eric Edholm of NFL.com confirmed.
He thinks it could be in the most productive pursuits of either side.
“If the Bears are headed for a top-10 draft pick, why not trade a guy who’s playing out his rookie deal after contentious contract talks broke down this past offseason?
The Bears currently have just six of their own draft picks in 2023 and aren’t projected to receive any additional compensatory selections. Theoretically, the draft is where Ryan Poles will want to go in order to restock the shelves over the next few seasons.
Smith had a late interception and 16 tackles to help the Bears beat the Texans in Week 3. Overall, he has played at a high level this season, with eight or more tackles in every game so far, as he bets on himself to earn the long-term contract he believes he deserves.
Could the Chargers and old friend Brandon Staley (who was on the Bears’ staff in Smith’s rookie season) make an offer? Their run defense has continued to underwhelm, allowing a league-worst 5.8 yards per rush.”
Roquan Smith contract stance will force this narrative.
It comes down to 2 issues. Where the Bears really feel they’re at this season and whether or not they may be able to nonetheless signal the linebacker to an extension. Right now, the group is 2-3. A win on Thursday night time would possibly persuade the group to carry off from any firesale on the industry cut-off date on November 1st. Poles doesn’t need to really feel any force to do one thing. He has the franchise tag in his again pocket if he doesn’t want to lose Smith for not anything subsequent yr.
That mentioned, this GM has his eye at the long run. He’s said a number of occasions he needs to stay the linebacker in Chicago. Yet he’s additionally no longer afraid to make difficult selections. If Roquan Smith isn’t prepared to ease up his contract calls for, the Bears might make a selection to chop their losses. A second or third spherical select is most probably the asking value. While that isn’t what lovers hope for, it’s one thing they should get ready to simply accept. As just right as Smith has been since arriving in 2018, his excellence by no means modified the established order for the group.
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