The Bears have agreed to trade linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens, a person familiar with the deal but not authorized to speak confirmed publicly to The Athletic. Here’s what you need to know:
Baltimore will send second- and fifth-round picks and veteran linebacker AJ Klein to Chicago, The Athletic has confirmed. Baltimore’s middle line play has been inconsistent, and Smith, a two-time All-Pro, could be a long-term answer. All seven players the Bears selected in 2018 are now on different teams or out of the NFL.
History
Smith, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, was held out before the season as he sought a new contract from Chicago. However, he eventually ended his holdout and participated in training camp in late August, announcing that he would play out the remainder of his contract, which expires at the end of the 2022 season. Smith started every game for the Bears this season, tallying an NFL-best 83 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, two interceptions and three pass deflections. He had a career-high 163 tackles in 2021. Chicago lost to the Cowboys on Sunday to fall to 3-5 on the season. Baltimore leads the AFC North 5-3 after Thursday’s win over the Buccaneers.
Why Baltimore made this trade
The Ravens have long been a priority at the middle linebacker position. It’s probably the Ray Lewis effect. This year, they just haven’t gotten consistent production out of their spot. Former first-round pick Patrick Quinn has been playing much better of late, but middle linebacker Josh Bynes has taken a hit and struggled at times. And the Ravens just didn’t have a lot of quality depth behind the kickoffs. Smith stabilizes the Ravens at the position and brings leadership and playmaking ability to the middle of their defense. – Zrebiec
Could Smith fit with the Ravens long term?
He certainly could. The Ravens are very protective of their draft picks, and trading a second and fifth rounder certainly suggests they don’t plan on Smith being just a rental. Bynes, who has been their starting center back, is on a one-year contract. The Ravens will have to make a decision on selecting Queen for the fifth time this season, but it’s by no means a lock for the Ravens to take this one. Smith does not have an agent, and general manager Eric DeCosta has experience with such arrangements in his contract talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson. It would be surprising if DeCosta hasn’t already broached the subject with Smith. – Zrebiec
Why Chicago made this trade
Even though the Bears submitted what they believed to be a generous and competitive contract offer to Smith last summer, they likely would never get to where Smith wanted financially. This is not a regime willing to spend a sizable chunk of their cap space on an off-ball linebacker. The two sides were headed for an annual game of franchise-tag chicken, or the Bears could try to get value for him in his prime. They found that with as good capital as they will have for anyone on the roster. – Fishbain
Did the Bears get enough back?
The Bears got more for Smith from the Ravens than they did for Kalil Mack. The Chargers gave the Bears a second-round pick in 2022 and a sixth-round pick in 2023 for Mack. The Bears later sent that sixth-rounder back to the Chargers for two seventh-round picks in 2022. After trading Smith, here is the Bears’ draft stock for the 2023 NFL Draft: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (Baltimore), 3rd, 4th, 4th (Philadelphia), 5th, 5th (Baltimore) and 7th. GM Ryan Poles now has a lot of work to do if he wants to maneuver in the draft or try to make a trade for a receiver before Tuesday’s deadline. – Jans
What happens next?
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Required reading
(Photo: Daniel Bartel/USA Today)
