A strange situation may be developing in Chicago. Roquan Smith made his trade request public earlier this week, and the standout linebacker is staging a hold-in effort at Bears camp. Smith does not have an agent, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports a person claiming to represent the fifth-year defender has been contacting teams to gauge trade interest. The person calling teams is not an NFLPA-certified agent, per Florio, and the Bears have not given Smith permission to seek a trade. The team still wants to extend the two-time second-team All-Pro, even though Smith does not have much hope for salvaging this situation. A team that negotiated with this unknown Smith representative would face tampering charges. While teams are interested in the former top-10 pick, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus does not expect a first-round pick to be offered — if it reaches the point the Bears are fielding offers.
Here is the latest from the rest of the NFC North:
- The Lions signed veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess and converted him to tight end, a position where he spent some time while a Michigan freshman in 2012. Funchess is not a lock to make the Lions’ roster, and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes the team may only keep three tight ends. In addition to T.J. Hockenson, Dan Campbell plans to a keep a blocking tight end and an all-purpose player. Funchess would obviously be competing for the latter spot, with Birkett adding Shane Zylstra and fifth-round pick James Mitchell are in that group as well. Garrett Griffin and Brock Wright are vying for the blocking gig. Funchess would still have practice squad eligibility, and teams can still keep 16 players on their taxi squads.
- Detroit also brought back Jarrad Davis this offseason, but the former first-round pick is not a lock to make the team. Davis has worked with the second- and third-team defenses in training camp, per Birkett, who adds the ex-Florida standout might need to show he can be a productive special teams player to make the team. Davis logged a career-high 46% special teams snap rate with the Jets last season. The Lions are not particularly deep at linebacker, but this regime did not draft Davis, who was brought in during Jim Caldwell‘s final season under GM Bob Quinn. Davis, 27, started 45 games for the Lions from 2017-20.
- Despite the Vikings selecting Kellen Mond in last year’s third round, they brought back Sean Mannion for another potential run as Kirk Cousins‘ backup. The two have split time behind Cousins at training camp, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson. They are listed as co-backups on Minnesota’s depth chart, with Mond — after a year of seasoning — seemingly having a better chance to move into the QB2 role. Under Mike Zimmer, Mond worked only with the Vikings’ third-team offense. The quarterback said earlier this offseason he played at less than full strength throughout his rookie year due to contracting COVID-19 during camp.
They screwed up this situation in every way possible
Perhaps they are trying to score some consistency points.
However you slice it, Smith owes the Bears a year. He’s got a contract. If he holds out all year he still would roll over to needing to play next year. There is a point where he needs to play so many games this year as to fulfill that requirement, But I’m not sure what that point is exactly. The Bears could just start the season without him, Fining him and docking his pay until he shows up. Would they get more for him at the deadline? Maybe, Maybe not. Would it be good for Smith or the Bears? No. He should just show up and play, He negotiated the deal himself so who’s he gonna blame if it goes bad? Everyone needs to satisfy the terms of his rookie deal, Then he can move on, Not before.
It’s going to be interesting to find out: 1. Who is making these calls, 2. Who is dumb enough to pick up the phone on the other end, 3. What’s being discussed, and 4. What mental exams will be required by all parties involved. Holy Crap.
In fairness to your points, the second I don’t think is dumb. At least listening to an opportunity to get one of the NFL’s better young linebackers isn’t a bad idea. The rest is a bit dramatic, I agree. Smith seems to be a tougher negotiator, and I don’t think that he really expects to be dealt.
The only question I have is whether or not his distrust of the Bears organization has more to do with his own expectations or the organization’s actions. Without being up close and personal, I don’t think that any of us can know. But either way, I do believe that this trade request is “soft” in terms of gaining interest-I think that Smith does expect to be extended, he just wants more guarantees from a tumultuous organization. I also don’t blame Cicago for not wanting to bet the farm on a linebacker while they are rebuilding.
The Bears have an entrenched policy for dealing with top performers who want a large extension. They didn’t cave in to Matt Forte or Allen Robinson so why would they cave to Smith? (especially when the LB position is historically the area where they draft strongest).
In fairness to your sanity, the second point is most assuredly dumb. Without the Bears permission, NOT EVEN SMITH HIMSELF can make calls to ANYBODY about a trade. It’s TAMPERING and carries most severe penalties. Anyone from any team doing that is completely stupid. So Ak, he has a contract which means the Bears own him, UNLESS they say otherwise. Ask Ross.
Unclemike, I don’t disagree. I do think though that Smith is a good young talent that most GMs would want to listen to. Your points stand as to why they shouldn’t. I also think that Smith knows at the end of the day that Chicago holds the cards here, not him.
If the other GMs are smart, they’ll call Poles and deal with him. I’m not suggesting that they actually deal with Smith or whomever purports to be his agent, but they should place a call in to Poles to see if they can change his mind if they want him.
It was reported recently on this site, that Smith wants $20 million a year, which would make him the highest paid offside LB in the game. More than first team all pro, Shaq Leonard. There is no way he gets that and the Bears would be crazy to pay it- especially before he’s even played a down in the new system.
Agreed with that, rondon. Smith might want to take his ball and leave, so to speak, but he has a year left on his deal. While he is good, I don’t think that he’s at the point where sitting out a year will help make his case. The Bears probably want to give him a good deal but maybe not at $20 million.