NFL: Frustrated, Roquan Smith wants to leave Chicago

Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith asked to be traded due to a contract stalemate between him and the team.

The 25-year-old Smith mentioned he didn’t want to stay with the Bears despite several leadership changes, including general manager Ryan Poles nominated in 2022. Smith had been working on a contract extension since then. the month of April.

“They refused to negotiate in good faith. All of the steps to come to an agreement have been in the take it or leave it mentality. The deal they wanted me to sign would have been bad for me and the entire linebacker market across the league. »

Since the Bears drafted Smith at 8^e ranking in the 2018 draft total, the University of Georgia product had 14 quarterback sacks and a total of 101 tackles. Smith was expected to earn $9.7 million in the final year of his NFL entry contract. However, he was placed on the disabled list when he arrived at Chicago Bears training camp in late July.

Smith accuses the Chicago Bears of “taking advantage of him and leaving him no choice but to trade him to a team that truly recognizes his worth.”

In April, Smith said he was confident of coming to an agreement with the Bears that would allow him to stay in Chicago for the long term. He had even revealed that he intended to stay with the team for his entire career.