The Chicago Bears have a greater legacy of linebackers than any other team in NFL history. That’s a fact. It’s impossible to argue at this point. Brian Urlacher? Mike Singletary? Dick Butkus? Bill George? All in the Hall of Fame and all the unquestioned best middle linebackers of their generations. No other organization is even close to something like that. So here’s the question. Is Roquan Smith capable of reaching those heights?
The Bears certainly think so. Former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio bristled when somebody tried to compare one of the top linebackers in the 2019 draft class to Smith. He dismissed it outright. “Roquan is special.” It certainly seems that way. Smith delivered the best rookie year a linebacker has had in Chicago since Urlacher 18 years prior.
He finished with 121 tackles, five sacks, and an interception. To think he did all that without the benefit of training camp or preseason work. That should tell people exactly how talented he is and how much better he could still get. It seems that success has caught the attention of top experts over at Sports Illustrated too.
Roquan Smith tied for 6th among best inside linebackers in NFL
On the Monday Morning NFL Podcast, experts Andy Benoit and Gary Gramling tackled a tough subject. Who are the best linebackers in the league right now? For the sake of clarity, these are traditional inside and outside linebackers. Pass rusher like Khalil Mack and Von Miller did not quality.
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The list included the obvious choices like Luke Kuechly at #1 with Bobby Wagner right behind him at #2. What will excite Bears fans is that Smith is on the list as well, and already pretty high up.
10. Anthony Barr, Minnesota, 39 points
9. C.J. Mosley, N.Y. Jets, 48
8. K.J. Wright, Seattle, 54
(tie)6. Roquan Smith, Chicago, 56
(tie)6. Jaylon Smith, Dallas, 56
5. Deion Jones, Atlanta, 58
4. Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas, 65
3. Darius Leonard, Indianapolis, 68
2. Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 76
1. Luke Kuechly, Carolina, 80 (3 first-place votes)
It will be fascinating to see how Smith progresses this season. He’ll have a full offseason under his belt and be in prime physical condition. Word is his mastery of the new defense under Chuck Pagano is proceeding rapidly. It feels like fans are in store for something they haven’t seen in almost a decade.
