Roquan Smith Reports to Training Camp, Will Play Out Contract
While Roquan Smith requested a trade out of Chicago after contract negotiations with the Bears went south, the linebacker has reported to training camp, thehttps://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1561107372017389574?s=20&t=BFkKQvGEXyyKOiYUyf8ftw”>
Bears announced on Saturday.
Previously, Smith was no longer around the team and said he would not return until the situation was either smoothed over or he was traded. However, now, Smith simply believes he will bet on himself. In his return to practice, Smith only did individual drills while doing no team drills on his first day back.
“This is the last year of my deal and I’m going to bet on myself as I’ve always done,” Smith https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1561118374565920769?s=20&t=BFkKQvGEXyyKOiYUyf8ftw”>told
Adam Schefter of ESPN.
This dampens any likely trade rumors that Smith could leave Chicago. While that still is possible if the right deal comes along for Ryan Poles and the Bears, it seems that both sides may just ride out the fifth-year option. If that is the case, Roquan Smith will become of the most highly sought-after free agents in the 2023 free agency class. The asking price for Smith was never revealed, but it was believed to potentially be multiple first-round picks on top of a new contract.
Pittsburgh has had some woes at inside linebacker with a disappointing camp for Devin Bush. As such, many were asking if the Steelers should trade for Smith. While that was always unlikely to happen, this revelation simply likely means the Bears will not move Smith if those demands are met. It is unlikely for the Steelers to be that team barring an unexpected change in their thought process.
As such, it will likely be Myles Jack and the winner of the position battle between Robert Spillane and Bush on the other side. The Steelers’ inside linebackers are going to be a point of emphasis to watch over the next few weeks.
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