The Chicago Bears’ offseason just got a lot more eventful. Their All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith is unhappy with the fact that he still hasn’t received an extension and has publicly asked the team to trade him.
Smith made his trade request via a lengthy statement published on social media. In the statement, the Georgia product says that the new Bears’ front office, helmed by first-year general manager Ryan Poles, doesn’t value him and that the negotiations about his contract so far haven’t been in “good faith.”
“I wanted to be a Bear for my entire career, help this team bring a (Super Bowl) back to our city,” said Smith. “However, they have left me no choice than to request a trade that allows me to play for an organization that truly values what I bring to the table.”
Smith also added that he believes the McCaskey family, who own the Bears, are the only ones who could salvage this situation.
Roquan Smith is currently in the final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $9.7 million in base salary in 2022. The Bears reportedly made him several offers so far but were not willing to go as far as making him the highest-paid linebacker in football, something that the 25-year-old player is looking to become. Also, the offer featured several de-escalators that are not common in contracts given to star players.
It remains unclear what the Bears’ path forward will be. Poles already told the media that his primary goal is to keep Smith in Chicago. However, considering the Bears’ struggles in recent years, trading him for draft assets that would speed up the team’s rebuild should also seem like a good option.
Smith has 524 tackles, 14.0 sacks, 17 pass deflections, five interceptions, and one defensive touchdown since entering the league as an eighth overall pick in 2018. He made the Second-Team All-Pro twice in his career.
