{"id":51635,"date":"2022-08-21T03:22:55","date_gmt":"2022-08-21T03:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/chicago-bears-linebacker-returns-to-practice\/"},"modified":"2022-08-21T03:22:55","modified_gmt":"2022-08-21T03:22:55","slug":"chicago-bears-linebacker-returns-to-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/chicago-bears-linebacker-returns-to-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears linebacker returns to practice"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

For nine minutes Saturday evening, Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith met with reporters inside the PNC Center at Halas Hall, trying to neatly summarize what have been a messy few months.<\/p>\n

On the plus side for Bears fans, Smith’s contentious contract battle with the front office has ended \u2014 for now \u2014 enough so that the two-time All-Pro returned to the field Saturday after missing the first 15 practices of training camp as part of his \u201chold-in\u201d strategy.<\/p>\n

The Bears’ goal now is to ready Smith to play in their Sept. 11 season opener at Soldier Field against the San Francisco 49ers. But for Smith, the end results of his back-and-forth with general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears negotiation team on a possible contract extension have left a bitter taste in his mouth.<\/p>\n

Now, Smith is left to play out his contract year with no security beyond the season.<\/p>\n

In short, the Bears remain unwilling to pay Smith what he believes he is worth, standing firm behind Poles’ vision for rebuilding the team while in turn aggravating one of their most established players.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/picture>
\n

Bears linebacker Roquan Smith adjusts his cap on the sideline during a preseason game against the Chiefs on Aug. 13 at Soldier Field. <\/span>(Brian Cassella \/ Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cTo get on the (negotiation) process, I thought it was very distasteful to say the least,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIt wasn’t what I anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most distasteful, Smith said, was \u201cnot coming to an agreement when I feel like I’ve busted my ass for so long here and then not being rewarded with something I thought was rightfully deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Named a second-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons, Smith has been seeking to be paid like one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Within league circles, there has been buzz he was after a deal with a total value surpassing $100 million over five years.<\/p>\n

Smith was the team’s top draft pick in 2018, selected No. 8 overall, and quickly became one of the defense’s more productive contributors. Over his first four seasons, Smith recorded 524 tackles, 43 tackles for loss and 14 sacks to go along with five interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one touchdown.<\/p>\n

Still, the Bears always have held most of the leverage in this situation with Smith under contract through March. And amid all the tension and drama, the team has held the right cards to retain control of everything.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0<\/span>[Don’t miss] Chicago Bears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his right thumb ]<\/span><\/p>\n

The massive extension Smith was seeking? Well, Poles just hasn’t been willing to meet one of the best players on his roster at Smith’s price point. So the first-year GM stood his ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see myself at a number, and they see me at a number,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAnd we couldn’t agree (on the number). We can agree to disagree. But hey, I would never accept a bad deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for the trade Smith requested Aug. 9 in an emotional 346-word statement he sent to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport? No dice there either.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was declined,\u201d Smith noted. \u201cSo I think my focus has to shift.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thus Saturday signed a pivot point in this saga, with Smith essentially left with one choice. Return to practice. Ramp up to play as soon as possible. And push to be ultra-productive in the final year of his rookie contract with $9.735 million in salary coming his way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a contract to fulfill,\u201d he acknowledged. \u201cAnd I’m just going to go out there and be the best teammate I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Smith desiring to be rewarded financially as one of the most elite off-the-ball linebackers in the game, his next action will be to master the weak-side linebacker role in Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 defense and produce in a way that merits a huge payday.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0<\/span>[Don’t miss] The Chicago Bears seem to be creating an identity with flashes of optimism. Here’s how all 3 phases fared vs. the Seattle Seahawks. ]<\/span><\/p>\n

Eberflus, who has made it a point to stay out of Smith’s contract business, envisions an opening for Smith to flourish in the new defense. Eberflus’ system, after all, positions the weak-side linebacker to have all sorts of playmaking opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s just about experience, getting the experience in that role,\u201d Eberflus said. \u201cThat’s a hot spot. He’ll have a lot of action in there. And again, I think he’ll enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eberflus also emphasized Saturday that he had few worries about Smith’s contract discontent affecting his play or attitude.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s been engaged,\u201d Eberflus said. \u201cHe’s been in the meetings \u2014 thoroughly there, mentally there. He’s asking questions in meetings, helping the younger players when he’s been out. So he has been doing all that. He has been a pro that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Roquan Smith has basically been told by the Bears front office to play out the final year of his contract and now will play out the final year of his contract. Extension talks have ceased. pic.twitter.com\/A8MKNTXRtM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) August 20, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

To his credit, Smith seemed willing to quash his discontent with the Bears front office and replace it with effort on the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d he said, \u201cI’m going to do it the same way I’ve always done it: 100 miles an hour and I won’t let up. \u2026 My full intention is to play this season, and whatever happens, happens. Whatever it is I have to go through this season, I’ll do it chin up, chest out. Sun sets, no regrets, baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nine minutes Smith spent answering questions Saturday weren’t nearly enough to get to the bottom of the contract conflict that has been the top storyline during training camp. Pressed for specifics on what he was seeking financially in his contract demands, Smith declined to give a number but did insinuate he has been seeking record-setting money with a push for strong guarantees.<\/p>\n

Alas, he said, \u201cmy number and their number was not the same. And that’s pretty much all I can say.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Poles was first asked about Smith’s future with the Bears in March, he expressed confidence Smith would have \u201ca really good year\u201d and acknowledged his hope to figure out the linebacker’s contract future before the regular season began.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously the earlier you get to that, the better,\u201d Poles said at the NFL owners meetings. \u201cBut also with a new staff, we may wait a little bit too.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\u00a0<\/span>[Don’t miss] Justin Fields finds Cole Kmet \u2014 and the offensive line makes moves: Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the Chicago Bears’ 2nd preseason win ]<\/span><\/p>\n

A little more than four months later, Poles was at Soldier Field reacting to Smith’s written trade request with obvious frustration and confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he’s a very good football player. I love the kid,\u201d Poles said Aug. 9. \u201cI love what he’s done on the field. Which makes me really disappointed with where we’re at right now. I thought we’d be in a better situation, to be completely honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not much has happened since then, apparently, to bring the sides closer to a compromise or to help replace the acrimony with harmony.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/picture>
\n

Bears linebacker Roquan Smith warms up before a preseason game against the Chiefs on Aug. 13 at Soldier Field. Smith did not play. <\/span>(Brian Cassella \/ Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe talks didn’t get too far,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAnd it didn’t end in the way that I wanted them to end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pressed to recall his last conversation with Poles and where things were left, Smith bristled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just know the conversations are over,\u201d he said. \u201cSo there’s nothing more to be said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith also punched back at critics who have suggested his decision to represent himself in contract negotiations rather than using an NFLPA-certified agent was a miscalculation.<\/p>\n

\u201cTimes are changing,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I feel like players want to be at the (negotiation) table to have full transparency, to know what’s actually going on and what’s being said. Because a lot of people can say a lot of different things, but when you’re there yourself, you see it with your own eyes. You know for a fact what’s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this case, Smith knows he has been shown only one path: to prove to the Bears or another team that he should be paid like one of the best defenders in football.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetting on myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

As for how he’ll find the right mind frame in the coming weeks to devote himself to an organization that he feels has disrespected him?<\/p>\n

\u201cWow,\u201d Smith said. \u201cGreat question. I would say my loyalty lies with the city of Chicago, the loyal fans here, the guys in the locker room who I put my blood, sweat and tears on the line for each and every day. I’m more so focused on those guys and being the best guy I can be for those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

The turmoil of the situation likely will require time to dissipate. On Saturday, at the very least, a page was turned and a new chapter began.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n