Bears linebacker Roquan Smith has requested a trade out of Chicago following what he feels is a lack of appreciation by the team's new front office in regard to his value.
Smith, 25, is in the final year of his rookie deal. He's owed $9.74 million in base salary in 2022, a not-insignificant amount of money whose ensuing cap hit would be lessened should the trading team sign him to an extension.
Considering Smith has reportedly turned down a back-loaded deal in Chicago, it stands to reason that any team to trade for the linebacker will extend him in a deal he feels accurately represents his value.
A second-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons, Smith is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he had 163 combined tackles, 12 for loss, three sacks,
one interception and three passes defensed. He has had more than 100 combined tackles in each of his four years in the league.
All that to say: He is a valuable trade target, especially for teams with cap space and aspirations to make a Super Bowl run this season