LB Roquan Smith requests trade - this is where losing that extra 1st really hurts

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Bears LB Roquan Smith has requested a trade.

Smith, 25 is slated to play the 2022 season under his fifth-year option, which would net him $9.7 million. In a statement, he called out the new Chicago front office for failing to negotiate in good faith and not valuing him as a player. The team's latest offer, Smith said, would not just be bad for him, but for every linebacker in the NFL. The offer is reportedly backloaded and filled with de-escalators that could cost Smith serious money. Smith is a force in the middle of the field, totaling 163 tackles, three sacks, and 12 tackles for a loss in 2021. It appears unlikely he'll be in a Bears uniform this season. The team's new front office, headed by general manager Ryan Poles, is off to the rockiest start possible.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Aug 9, 2022, 8:49 AM ET

DolFan 316 wrote:I just saw this elsewhere. Best forget about it, it's a pipe dream. Let's just hope a division rival doesn't get him.

white1 wrote:One thing no one is talking about regarding trade possibilities.

Are we absolutely thrilled with Jerome Baker? If the Bears don't want to leave a huge hole in their defense, maybe they trade Smith for Baker, plus we add a WR and maybe a late round pick?

From a cap perspective, I think a trade like that would allow us to pay Smith like he want to be paid, because we swap one high-price LB for another.

All in all, it's a definite upgrade for us - Baker is good but not as good as Smith.

finfanatic wrote:I am waiting for Grier to do something stupid and start trading away picks for next year and into 2023 as well.

finfanatic wrote:By the by....Poor old LB Vince Beigel (sp)... he tore his other Achilles it looks like! This might be the end of him.

white1 wrote:Yeah, and it's possible the Bears can't get all that much for Smith anyway.  

Two reasons.  One, they already lost some leverage because of his press release asking for a trade.  The price comes down immediately in a situation like that.

Two, sites like PFF (believe them or not, still useful) have metrics that reinforce the idea Smith is a GOOD linebacker, but not great/elite.  At least not yet (and maybe never will be).  He's kind of a MLB thumper with good knack for tackles for loss, a few sacks, not a lot of plays on the ball in space.  Players like that are kind of on the outside looking in when it comes to the elite defenders out there.

All in all, probably doable, just a matter of whether Grier / McDaniel want to invest the kind of cap space and other resources it will take to get him...