Bears All-Pro LB Requests Trade

 

The Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith has formally requested a trade, per Ian Rapoport. 

Smith has previously expressed his desire for a long-term extension, but that has not been addressed allegedly, and he and his camp are beginning to get impatient. 

Smith thinks the Bears' new front office "doesn't value" him. 

Bears LB Roquan Smith has requested a trade, stating the Bears' new front office "doesn't value" him.

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— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 9, 2022

The twenty-five-year-old has been one of the Bears' consistently best defenders, making second-team All-Pro in two straight seasons. For some reason, the Bears are reluctant to offer Smith the long-term deal he desires though. He clearly wants to stay in Chicago for the foreseeable future and it remains to be seen if the new front office likes Smith enough to lock him up in a long-term deal. 

New general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus had no connection with the team's selection of Smith eighth overall in 2018 and, for some reason, they're not scrambling to sign the linebacker. Maybe he doesn't fit into the team's rebuilding plans.  

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