Okay. This is not something I expected to write, but here we go. Let’s get this out of the way. Roquan Smith is a very good football player. His production speaks for itself: 607 tackles, 16.5 sacks, and seven interceptions in 69 games. He proved to be the best 1st round pick Ryan Pace made as Chicago Bears GM. I will never dispute that fact. However, I do dispute the idea that he is the victim in all of this. Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus aren’t to blame for what happened this past week.
One thing I’ll say about Smith is he never lacks audacity. Chicago traded the linebacker to Baltimore for 2nd and 5th round draft picks. It would be one thing if he were gracious and grateful for his time with the Bears. You know, the typical response professionals have after such big moves. Instead, the guy decided to say something that was equal parts laughable and ignorant. This is what he said to reporters when asked about the trade.
“I didn’t plan to [get traded], but you know, life happens at times and got traded. So initially I was shocked. But I’m excited to be here. Good group of guys that’s contending for a title, and that’s what I’m in the game to play for — playing for a title.”
He can’t be serious. Let’s rewind to August. Poles and the Bears are in the process of negotiating with Smith about an extension. Things seem cordial. The rookie GM likes the linebacker and sees him as a valuable long-term piece. He makes an offer that those around the league deem “fair” and “solid.” Smith does not. Rather than acting like a normal person and continuing to negotiate, he does this.
#Bears All-Pro LB Roquan Smith has requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/x4vmOMhROt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022
He quite literally requested a trade in a very public setting two months ago. Then he has the gall to state he never saw a trade coming the moment the Bears ship him to Baltimore. I’d be shocked myself if it weren’t so funny. Smith has always come across as a guy that says one thing and does another. He proclaimed himself a team player. The only thing that matters, in the end, is the team.
This is the same person that conducted an extended holdout into training camp, not once but twice. First in 2018 and again this year. He sat out a game in 2019 for no discernable reason other than he didn’t feel like playing. Then in 2020, he had no problems hanging out with a porn star on a crowded party boat during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. For a team guy, he’s acted awfully selfish on numerous occasions.
Roquan Smith living that life.
— Just a Southern Sports Fan (@CJE_NFL) May 3, 2020
Roquan Smith will go down in Bears history as one of the most talented linebackers they’ve ever employed. However, it’s more apparent than ever he has no business being mentioned in the same breath as Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, or Brian Urlacher. They not only were better players than him, but they also never made themselves distractions.
Yet to claim he’s some victim in all this is beyond hypocritical. Smith created this entire scenario with his own actions. He requested the trade. He shut down negotiations. Then he acts all surprised and hurt when the trade happens. Please stop with that nonsense. It is clearer than ever Roquan Smith has always been about one thing. Roquan Smith.
