Many of the biggest names around the NFL have reported to their team’s training camps already, or are expected to when practices begin later this week. The situation is significantly different in Chicago as it pertains to linebacker Roquan Smith. 
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Smith will not participate in the Bears’ camp tomorrow, the scheduled day for veterans to report (Twitter link). He therefore represents the first known case of a “hold-in” in 2022. Finances are at the heart of the move; Smith is set to play on the fifth-year option this season, which is valued at $9.74MM. The veteran linebacker is not attached to an agent, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, who notes a family member is in an advisory role here.
A long-term deal has widely been viewed as the goal on both sides, given Smith’s ascendance into one of the league’s top young linebackers. In 2021, he ranked fifth in the NFL with 163 tackles, adding three sacks, an interception and three pass breakups. The idea of an extension has been in consideration for months, but little progress has clearly been made.
When asked about getting a deal finalized before the start of the 2022 campaign, new general manager Ryan Poles said in May, “I don’t know if that’s how we’re going to handle it, but I would like to. Obviously the earlier you get to that, the better. But also with a new staff, we may wait a little bit, too.”
Rapoport adds that the 25-year-old has not received an offer that he would “remotely consider” to date, leading to his decision to sit out. The LB market hasn’t seen the upward trend of other position groups this offseason, but the deal given to Foyesade Oluokun in free agency (averaging $15MM per year) could be used as a benchmark in negotiations.
The Bears have moved on from a number of expensive front seven veterans this spring, freeing up future cap space as they look to rebuild around a new core. Smith figures to be a central member of that group, but plenty of work apparently needs to be done before he is officially on the books for the long-term future.
As a bears fan, I’d tell him show up and participate in camp. If he does, we can talk. But by not participating, you are not setting a good example as a leader to a young team. That doesn’t get you paid.
Doesn’t he have a contractual obligation to the Bears? If he didn’t like his first deal, then why did he sign it? I’m guessing that’s because a player’s word isn’t worth spit. Angling for an extension is one thing, but refusing to honor an existing contract is unethical—at best.
Why did he sign the only deal he was ever allowed to get? Gee I wonder.
I will never understand people who bootlick billionaire owners. The owners/team cut way more players or as you say “refusing to honor an existing contract” than there are players who hold out. That’s not even getting into the obvious reality that players are shortening their lives to just maybe be able to earn 1/1000th as much as the owners. Support the athlete bleeding for your entertainment, not the the old crusty dude in the luxary box who’ll threaten to leave your city if you don’t pay him to build a stadium there.
I’m not a fan of hold outs (or ins), but this is one the Bears shouldn’t try too hard to nickel and dime…with the D going back to the 4-3, Smith is the most important player on that side of the ball and he’s proven himself worthy.
Weak side LB and 3-tech on the line are more important. And you can argue D-ends as well. Unless he’s moving to weak side, he’s simply not worth the money.
He’s by far the most important player left on that defense. Quinn, even if he stays, is only there one more year. Smith is a long term, solid piece to build around. With so many question marks on that team, Poles should’ve had this deal done first part of summer.
Mr. Smith appears to be holding the empty bag for that awful Khalil Mack contract. Roquan Smith is on his 5th year option and the Bears have to eat $58mil of Macks contract for the next three years. This year alone the Bears have almost $30mil in dead cap for the LB position alone.
On the bright side, Roquan Smith still has the 4th highest base salary on the team for 2022.
They have 20 million in cap space left this year and can lock him up now. And they will have close to 100 million in cap space next season, by far enough to cover all the dead cap money with plenty left to spend on free agents. There is no excuse to not have arguably their best player extended by now.
OK …. You are the new GM in Chicago and you pay Mr. Smith in line with the top three LB in the NFL. He will make roughly $20mil a year. You now have over a 1/4 of your salary cap assigned to one position on your roster, and it’s not even a QB.
Since the Cap is like 233 million, you’re going to have to show me the math how 20 million is 1/4 of 233 million.
Sorry, 209 million and it’s supposed to go way up next year and he’s already signed for this year so WTF? Plus they are supposed to have close to 100 million to spend next year.
You are correct, it’s not a 1/4 of the salary cap. However, the $30mil of dead cap this year for Mack along with a $20mil new contract for Smith is roughly $50mil of cap space for the LB position. A full 1/4 of a $209mil cap is $52.25mil.
As I already stated, they have Smith on the 5th year option so…. “he’s already signed for this year so WTF?”
Mr. Smith appears to be holding the empty bag for that awful Khalil Mack contract.
Linebacker for the Bears has always been the center of every one of their best defenses. Butkus, Singletary, Briggs, Urlacher, They all got paid because they were the QBs of those defenses. Smith should’ve been first team all pro at least one year, maybe two. They simply cannot let that guy go.
And they don’t have 20 million in cap space anymore.
Management and Smith have been at odds from the time he was drafted. He was the last first rounder signed because of a battle concerning the offset language in his rookie contract. Looks like both sides still harbor some resentment and I’d be surprised if Smith has a long term future in Chicago. He’s a solid linebacker but that’s the position the Bears are historically strongest at filling with talent.
Pay the man already! Don’t alienate your best player
Bears signed Brisker yesterday. So Smith is their only holdout. Or hold in. Whatever. In all honesty, He’s not going to make a big difference this year. I wouldn’t be totally shocked if he becomes a pain he gets dealt And Quinn. The stack job is on for next year. This site is all over useless news. Good Job.