Dec 23, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) reacts after inside linebacker Roquan Smith (not pictured) recorded an interception against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Bears All-Pro LB Roquan Smith publicly requests trade

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 8/9/22

One of the Chicago Bears’ best players wants a fresh start elsewhere.

All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday revealing that he has asked the Bears to trade him. The former No. 8 overall pick is in the final year of his rookie contract and has been seeking a new deal. He says the Bears have not negotiated with him in good faith and have only taken a “take it or leave it” stance.

The Bears hired a new general manager, Ryan Poles, at the start of the offseason. Smith feels the new front office regime “doesn’t value me here.” He did, however, leave open the possibility of Bears ownership stepping in to “salvage this.” You can read the full statement below:

#Bears All-Pro LB Roquan Smith has requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/x4vmOMhROt

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media shared some details of the contract offer the Bears supposedly made to Smith. The team reportedly wanted to include de-escalators in the contract, which is something that no other non-quarterback player making $15 million or more per year has in his deal.

Smith is set to make $9.7 million this season after the Bears picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. He had 163 tackles and three sacks last season and was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021. Smith wants to be paid accordingly and has been holding out from training camp.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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