Bears Insider Brings Optimistic Roquan Smith Update
The Chicago Bears and Roquan Smith have been deadlocked for weeks over his contract extension. Now the regular season draws closer following the second preseason game against Seattle. Three weeks remain before things get serious. That isn’t much time. The longer this continues, the more likely it appears Smith may carry his holdout into the regular season. Or perhaps the Bears grant his request for a trade.
After four excellent seasons of play, that isn’t the result fans were hoping for. Smith is the brightest spot of the Ryan Pace era, a genuine star that deserves to be rewarded. The problem is the regime that drafted him is gone, and he complicated matters further by not hiring an agent during this critical process. Many are no longer hopeful a deal can be reached. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune isn’t one of them. His latest column offered genuine hope that the two sides aren’t far off.
“Scouts around the league I chatted with indicated the word in their circles is the Bears came with a strong offer. Of course, that could be the company line trickling out of Halas Hall. Poles did say the team’s offer included ‘record-setting pieces … that I thought were going to show him the respect that he deserves.’
I still believe the most likely outcome will be an extension for Smith. It’s the prudent move for him. And maybe digging in his heels will result in some concessions by the club. Smith could then consider his hold-in as a win…
…Too many signs point to the Bears and Smith sticking this thing out. Stranger things have happened, but my hunch is they find a way to make this happen.”
Roquan Smith isn’t operating like somebody anxious to leave.
Yes, he made the trade demand, but he wouldn’t be attending every practice if he were dead set on getting out of Chicago. He sure wouldn’t have traveled clear across the country with them to Seattle. Biggs is correct. Signs point to him wanting a deal done. GM Ryan Poles has maintained a firm stance that this is his goal. His philosophy is to reward homegrown talent. That message changed despite the recent roadblocks.
It remains in the best interests of everybody for a deal to get done. Roquan Smith is the best player the Bears have on defense. They need a stud at outside linebacker. There is more than enough cap space to work out a deal. It comes down to finding that middle ground where both sides can be happy. They aren’t there yet. However, it at least sounds like discussions remain ongoing, and a solution isn’t too far away.