It has been a tumultuous offseason thus far for Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith, who has been been sitting out of practice for the organization after requesting a trade due to contract negotiations stalling out between the two sides.
He is obviously a crucial part of the Bears defense moving forward, and fortunately for the organization, it appears that Smith has had a change of heart.
Smith practiced for the first time this offseason on Saturday, joining the Bears in a non-contact practice at the Walter Payton Center in Jackson, Mississippi.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, this is a sign of things to come for Smith, and he will play out his contract this season for the Bears.
#Bears star LB Roquan Smith, who returned to practice for the first time after an emotional and intense contract situation, now plans to play out his contract, I’m told. His deal runs through 2022.
He’ll be full go moving forward.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 20, 2022
Despite not making a Pro Bowl in his four-year career to this point, Smith has been selected to the All-Pro second team in back to back seasons and is only 25 years of age.
While many are excited to see him back on the field for the Bears, there are certainly still questions about his future with the team considering his contract situation with the Bears remains unanswered.
Great for the Bears, terrible for Roquan. Hopefully his agent tells him about the franchise tag that can be applied next year. https://t.co/mEkwu8NEir
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 20, 2022
If they couldn't come to an agreement on an extension, Roquan really had no choice but to play out his current deal. https://t.co/YrQW3NRhf3
— Matt Zahn (@mattzahnsports) August 20, 2022
Probably one of the top five most emotional contract situations of the last 50 years. https://t.co/BiuA4hK7ez
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) August 20, 2022
Here’s my final take(s) on the Roquan Smith situation:
1. Big win for Ryan Poles as a 1st year GM to stand his ground.
2. I still think Roquan gets paid if he plays at an elite level this year.
3. Roquan really needs an agent. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) August 20, 2022
Smith discussed his current situation during a press conference on Saturday, saying that he is focused on the season and “betting on himself” in terms of his contract situation.
“It’s my last year of my deal, and I’m just gonna take it, run with it, bet on myself like I’ve always done. The negotiations are over right now. It’s more so I’m focused on the season, going out there, being the best Bear I can be.”
Roquan Smith, in his first comments today: “It's my last year of my deal, and I'm just gonna take it, run with it, bet on myself like I've always done. The negotiations are over right now. It’s more so I'm focused on the season, going out there, being the best Bear I can be…” https://t.co/j9DBPp5Xa1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 20, 2022
This certainly has to be seen as a huge win for the Bears, and in particular for general manager Ryan Poles in his first season with the organization.
For the time being Smith will remain a member of the Bears, but it will certainly get interesting if other teams come calling around the NFL trade deadline with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
