Bears Could Be Without Roquan Smith

Roquan Smith reported by NFL Network to be holding out of training camp.

When the Bears report to training camp, their defensive leader and possibly their only potential Pro Bowl candidate could be missing. 

According to a report by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Smith hasn't yet received an ofer "he would remotely consider," and will wait for a more serious proposal before taking the field when the Bears open practices on Wednesday.

Smith's rookie deal expires after this season and he did not yet have an agent when asked about the subject during the team's offseason work.

Smith attended all of the voluntary practices and both voluntary and mandatory minicamps.

#Bears All-Pro LB Roquan Smith will not be participating in training camp when veteran report tomorrow, sources say, because of his contract situation. Smith has not yet received an offer he would remotely consider, thus he’ll wait.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2022

The positive part for the Bears is he didn't say he needed a contract signed before reporting, according to Rapoport's report. He just needs one worthy of consideration.

Smith has been ignored in Pro Bowl voting the last two years while piling up statistics. He is the only linebacker other than Ray Lewis to have 300 tackles and at least 30 tackles for loss in consecutive seasons since those statistics have been compiled. Smith made second team All-Pro the last two years.

Without Smith, the Bears would be left with a real generic group of linebackers.

The Bears were playing Smith at weak side linebacker, the playmaking spot in the Tampa-2 scheme being deployed by coach Matt Eberflus. Former Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow is the other starter in their nickel and plays the middle. In their base defense, Matthew Adams has played the strong side. He is a former Colts linebacker who wasn't an Indianapolis starter, and was among Bears arrested in the offseason. 

The rest of the group includes former Cowboys linebacker Joe Thomas, veteran backups Noah Dawkins and Caleb Johnson and a group of undrafted rookies: Jack Sanborn, C.J. Avery and Christian Albright.

Anyone that starts blaming Poles or the Bears for Roquan is trying to criticize just to criticize.

Happens at every single training camp & guys always end up getting paid anyway.

Look at TJ Watt last year. Held out, got paid.

— Irish Bears Network (@IrishBearsShow) July 25, 2022

What Smith is seeking is uncertain at this point but Colts linebacker Darius Leonard plays the same position and is a perennial All-Pro and Pro Bowl player and received an extension averaging almost $20 million a year.

The situation is another rough blow for GM Ryan Poles in his first year. He is facing the possibility of rookie safety Jaquan Brisker holding out.

This comes after they failed to sign away Bills retstricted free agent Ryan Bates, and had to rescind an offer to unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi due to a failed physical. Ogunjobi later signed with Pittsburgh.

Then there were the arrests in the offseason of wide receiver Byron Pringle, Adams and wide receiver David Moore.

Perhaps this means a "hold in" for Roquan. That's what TJ Watt did in Pittsburgh last summer. He was present but didn't practice as he sought a new contract.https://t.co/m7ibuBtN3a

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) July 25, 2022

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven