Roquan Smith continues to send mixed signals about his intention. He attends practices with the Chicago Bears every day. Yet, at the same time, he publicly demands a trade and has an unofficial “representative” calling around the NFL engaging teams on a deal. Whoever this Saint Omni person is doesn’t matter. The underlying message is the same. It seems as if the Bears are closer to trading Smith than they are signing him to an extension.
That buzz picked up steam on Tuesday when league insider Benjamin Allbright dropped a response to a tweet that Smith would be traveling with the team for their Thursday preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Allbright is known for accurate information and has hinted at big moves before.
Wonder if he stays in Seattle after the game… https://t.co/hK5ilpNneD
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 16, 2022
He was quickly challenged on the idea by an outspoken Bears fan. This is where it gets interesting. Allbright made an initial response tweet but quickly deleted it. When asked why, he stated that it was something he wasn’t allowed to reveal.
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I'd say as termed that is accurate. That there are no reports out there.
I deleted something I wasnt authorized to say.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 16, 2022
A Roquan Smith trade to Seattle makes tons of sense.
Many will argue the Seahawks are rebuilding. There is no reason for them to do this. That isn’t entirely true. Remember, head coach Pete Carroll is 70 years old. His window with the organization is closing. The faster he can make his team a playoff contender, the better. Seattle is switching to a 3-4 defense this year under new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt. One of his assistants is Sean Desai, the former Bears defensive coordinator. So there is a direct connection with Smith, who has played his entire career in a 3-4.
Then there is the ammunition. Thanks to a series of trades, the Seahawks have two 1st and two 2nd round draft picks in 2023. They are well-equipped to make an aggressive move for Roquan Smith if they wish. Salary cap space also isn’t an issue. They’re projected to have over $40 million next off-season with the ability to create much more. If there is any team that makes perfect sense for a trade, it’s the Seahawks.
Maybe Allbright is spitballing. Perhaps he is hearing something. Seattle GM John Schneider is no stranger to big trades. He dealt four 1st round picks and a Pro Bowl center for Jamal Adams, Percy Harvin, and Jimmy Graham. Going after a young, ascending talent like Smith is right in his wheelhouse.
Maybe they get a 2nd and a 3rd, or get lucky and get both of Seattle 2nd round picks.
What makes Benjamin Allbright, a sports talk show host here in my city of Denver, a “NFL INSIDER”??
From here in Denver, he somehow knows what is going on between the Bears and Seattle?
It does seem to be an odd move to take a disgruntled player on a road trip and pay all the extra expenses related to it.
I could see it. I think a first and a third rounder will do it.
Now that Bobby Wagner is gone Seattle could really use Roquan. And since Roquan wants to be traded and Seattle is interested, what should the Bears get in exchange?