Well, the Roquan Smith situation certainly escalated quickly.
An extension for Smith — which felt as an inevitable conclusion for quite some time — is now a major question, and presents a challenging situation. The Bears went from having a Smith extension being a “top priority” for the offseason to navigating a training camp “hold-in” in July before dealing with a trade request in August. And just when you thought the waters couldn’t get muddier, the Bears took Smith off the PUP list — a move that subjects him to fines if he doesn’t show up for practice.
Sigh. It’s always something with these Bears.
Before we get too far in the weeds with this post, I want to be clear with one thing in particular: I’m not trying to run Smith out of town. The Bears need as much good talent as they can get, and not only does Smith fit the bill, he is also about to enter his prime years. Chicago’s football team should be trying to collect players of Smith’s caliber like they were a Mickey Mantle rookie card. Just get as many as you can.
But there is a but. And it is a notable one.
There is a realistic scenario where the Chicago Bears honor Smith’s trade request, and it winds up not necessarily being the worst outcome possible. With that in mind, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports on 10 possible trade fits after checking in with league executives asking where Smith might land if the Bears were to grant his trade wish.
Here are the candidates Fowler spits out after chopping it up and checking in around the league.
Seattle Seahawks. “Smith is well regarded as a player in Seattle, an organization that has shown willingness to make the splashy deal in the past,” Fowler writes. “The Seahawks are armed with multiple first- and second-round picks next year as part of the Russell Wilson trade.” Seattle sure seems like a sensible option, especially since we’re not too far removed from those Roquan Smith-Russell Wilson trade rumors. And I imagine former Bears Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai being a Seahawks assistant helps matters. But more than that, it’s the combination of a willing partner who likes splashy moves and the allure of having multiple first-round picks to play with in a deal. Seattle is certainly a team worth watching.
Kansas City Chiefs. Fowler notes the prior relationship with Poles and his former boss in KC Brett Veach. But the Chiefs have a pair of cost-controlled linebackers, which makes trading for Smith (and paying to keep him long term) feel superfluous. Then again, Fowler believes giving Smith a big contract wouldn’t be a hinderance. Hmmm.
Atlanta Falcons. Ryan Pace was the triggerman drafting Smith in 2018. And since joining the Falcons after his firing this offseason, Atlanta has become home to a bunch of former Bears. The Falcons defense could use some firepower. And I suppose they could turn to trading for a University of Georgia product to turn the tide. Frankly, if a trade goes down, maybe this is the ideal spot — if only because we know Pace is always willing to overpay right?
Miami Dolphins. “Miami comes up in conversation because the Dolphins were believed to be high on Smith in the pre-draft process in 2018,” Fowler writes. And remember, Dolphins brass got a good look at Smith during joint practice sessions in Chicago lat summer. Unfortunately, Miami was recently stripped of its first-round pick. That probably takes them out of the running here, unless the Bears decide they have to settle for a combination of post-first picks and/or picks after 2023. Not ideal.
Denver Broncos. Denver has been “actively searching for linebacker help,” writes Fowler. Maybe GM George Paton’s time in Minnesota nudges him to check in with Poles and inquire on Smith’s availability. Seattle owns Denver’s 2023 first- and second-round picks. But they do have their own selections again starting in 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers. You can’t ignore the Brandon Staley connection. And we already know the Chargers and Bears have done business before. Maybe L.A.’s other team fully thrusts into “win now” mode while QB Justin Herbert is on his rookie deal.
Washington Commanders. Fowler hears from a few league sources pushing Washington as a fit. Ron Rivera’s defense with a former Bear as his top pupil is the stuff of Shakespeare (if Shakespeare wrote about hypothetical NFL trades).
Baltimore Ravens. Had Fowler not mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten about the Ravens coming up short in their free agency pursuit of Bobby Wagner. Scouts tell Fowler there is a scheme and makeup fit in Baltimore. The Ravens don’t do splashy trades for the sake of it. But when they make moves, they make ’em count. I regard Baltimore as one of the best-run teams in football. In other words, I don’t think they’d make a trade they’d possibly end up on the losing end of after the dust clears.
Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones is equal parts Emperor Palpatine (lurking and manipulating his roster) and The Rich Texan in The Simpsons (a cartoon character who is buffoonishly rich — oftentimes with hilarious consequences). Fowler writes scouts and executives see the fit, but I struggle to see it after the team just signed Anthony Barr to fill that role for the moment.
Detroit Lions. Trading Roquan Smith within the division is a non-starter to me. The last thing I have any interest in is a football version of Brock-for-Broglio. No thanks. Even still … the Lions getting a mention here suggests that this is a team on the come-up whose moves we should probably be aware of moving forward. Detroit might be a year away from being a year away.
We’re only in the beginning stages of this saga. And unless a contract gets drawn up and signed soon, trade talks will linger. So we might as well understand the Bears’ options moving forward (just in case that’s what it comes to at the end of the day).
NEWSLETTER
