GM Ryan Poles faces not one but two significant contract challenges right out of the gates. Just days after news surfaced that 2nd round pick Jaquan Brisker would not attend the start of training camp due to a contract dispute, Ian Rapoport dropped the news that star linebacker Roquan Smith would be doing the same. This development was always possible since the man is in the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. He wants an extension.
Thus far, the Bears haven’t presented an offer he likes. It is a safe bet he’s looking to become the highest-paid off-the-ball linebacker in the league. That would put him over $19.7 million per year, a record held by Indianapolis Colts star Darius Leonard. Even worse, Smith has no agent, so the Bears have to deal with him directly. History shows this can hurt negotiations.
#Bears All-Pro LB Roquan Smith will not be participating in training camp when veteran report tomorrow, sources say, because of his contract situation. Smith has not yet received an offer he would remotely consider, thus he’ll wait.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2022
Roquan Smith has done this before.
He held out from training camp for weeks as a rookie in 2018, not returning until mid-August. It isn’t something he fears hampering his play since he was outstanding that season, coming three tackles shy of Brian Urlacher’s rookie record. There is no reason for him to believe missing at least part of training camp will impact his coming season. In his mind, he’s played four great seasons for the Bears and has earned that new contract.
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Most would agree. This is a problematic situation for Poles. He inherited the situation from Ryan Pace and the previous regime. Roquan Smith wasn’t a player he drafted. They have no prior relationship. That makes negotiations more difficult. We also don’t know how highly he values linebackers in the grand scheme. He may feel paying one $20 million a year is way too overpriced. That said, Smith is the best player the Bears have on defense. Making him happy with a new deal would be a good message to send the rest of the roster.
Roquan Smith is a heck of a player, but holding out to double your salary is a huge ask. He’s a free agent next year, if the BEARS think his prime matches their timeline to contend, then they’ll sign him. If not, then he may be gone before the season starts!
Smith is young, talented , a leader and can be what Lance Briggs was in Lovie’s defense. Pay the man it is a no-brainer!
Ro had been an ILB, not OLB. In the 4-3 he will play the mike or the will. He is untested in this defense. The hope was probably to see him in camp and in preseason games before pulling the trigger and using some of this year’s remaining cap money toward his signing bonus. He’s making it all that much harder to get his deal done. Depending on how long this drags out it can affect his value to the team this year. If he’s not there working in the new system he becomes less useful to the team this… Read more »
Failing to sign R Smith to a new deal will be a serious mistake and one R Poles will never be able to live down. R Smith is one of the top 5 OLBs in this league and destined to be in the HOF. He is also the heart and soul of this defense and anyone who thinks Morrow is even close to R Smith has lost too many brain cells to media hype and clickbait.
He deserves to be paid top 3 at his position, and R Poles will pay him the money!
Another hold out. What can we get in a trade? I mean I like him but highest paid OLB is not realistic IMO he isnt that much of a game changer, sure he gets lots of tackles but not much else 14 sacks 5 pics and 1 FF in 4 years thats not top paid player stats for me