Bears LB Roquan Smith requests trade

The contract impasse between the Chicago Bears and linebacker Roquan Smith has officially hit rock bottom. The All-Pro linebacker has formally requested a trade, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

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

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022

Smith was offended by the Bears’ latest offer, which according to Rapoport, was backloaded with language that would make Smith’s contract the worst of the non-quarterbacks who make more than $15 million per season.

More frustrations:
— The backloaded offer, which wouldn’t make him the highest paid in actual salary, included proposed de-escalators that not a single player out of the 94 non-QB, $15M+ contracts has. He was offended.
— The deal would hurt the LB market as a whole. https://t.co/E3tqyU6eAe

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022

Roquan Smith has been a “hold-in” at training camp during his contract negotiations. Now, it appears the relationship has soured to the point of no return.

Smith set career-highs in tackles last season with 163. He’s been named Second-Team All-Pro in each of the last two years.

We’ll have more on this developing Roquan Smith situation as news breaks.

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