The NFL Trade Deadline is tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean team’s can’t start trading today.
The Chicago Bears have traded their once-thought-of franchise defensive player Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens for 2nd- and 5th-round picks.
It’s been an interesting ride for the former 8th overall pick.
On the field, dominant. PFWA All-Rookie in 2018, and two second-team All-Pros the last two seasons. Plays every down every game, superstar. Has played 100% of defensive snaps this year, is leading the league in combined tackles, and is an all-around great inside linebacker. Why the trade?
Smith requested a trade this past August, something that far too many players are doing nowadays. He said that while negotiating a contract extension, he felt the new front office regime did not value him. He did not practice during training camp and would not negotiate with the team any further.
Jeff Hughes of DaBearsBlog tweeted in August that the Bears offered $95M and that he was a very immature kid.
So that really ignited the trade rumors, which had obviously picked up in recent weeks with the trade deadline approaching.
So now Smith has officially been traded to the Ravens, who give up a 2nd and a 5th for a star inside linebacker, which honestly is good for both sides.
The Bears are rebuilding, just accept that Bears fans, you’re still a ways out after missing your shot a few years ago. Getting a 2nd for a guy who clearly doesn’t want to play for you is very good. He was going to be a free agent after the year, no shot he would re-sign, and at best you’d get a late-third compensatory pick.
Now for the Ravens, this front office does it again. This defense was slow to start the year, but has been solid lately, not great, but solid.
Third-year linebacker Patrick Queen is improving, but still not elite like they’d hope him to be when he was traded 28th overall in 2020. Their third-round pick that year, Malik Harrison, is their third linebacker, with veteran journeyman Josh Bynes as the LB2. Not a bad core, but add in Smith, that’s an elite group. He’ll slide in alongside Queen, and boom, early 2000s Ravens defense again. Is that an exaggeration? Yes, but not so far off.
Great deal for both sides. Bears are rebuilding and get a headache off the team and get some good picks back. Ravens, an actual contender, beef up a weaker part of their team, and continue their playoff pursuit.
UPDATE: Veteran LB A.J. Klein was also traded to the Bears in the deal. The 31 year-old has been with five teams over 10 seasons, notably with the Panthers, Saints, and Bills. He played in two games with the Ravens this year after being plucked from the Giants practice squad in early October.
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