Report: Bears linebacker Roquan Smith holding out of training camp due to contract issues

Chicago Bears All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith will not participate in Bears training camp until his contract situation is cleared up, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Veterans are set to report to the Bears’ facility Tuesday and Smith has not received an offer he would be willing to consider.

If Smith and the Bears are unable to come to an agreement, Smith’s fifth-year rookie option sits at $9.7 million for 2022. Uniquely, Smith doesn’t have an agent – another reason the two sides could be taking longer than usual to structure a deal that suits both parties.

Last season was Smith’s fourth in the league after being drafted No. 8 overall by the Bears in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was by far the most productive tackler on the Bears’ defense in 2021, notching 95 solo tackles (ranked No. 6 in the NFL) – 40 more than the former teammate and fellow linebacker Alec Ogletree‘s 55, which ranked second on the team.

Smith’s production has certainly warranted a newly structured contract – it’s now up to the Bears to decide if they’re willing to pay him what he believes he’s worth.

Teammates seeing different Justin Fields in first full offseason with Chicago Bears

Justin Fields is coming into his own as he prepares for his second NFL season in Chicago.

Blame Matt Nagy, rookie jitters or an uneven roster — Fields showed flashes last season, but was far from the star that shined so bright at Ohio State. However, the sophomore quarterback is coming into his second season ready to prove why he was such a lauded commodity, as he teammates are speaking highly of his progress. 

“You just feel him in the huddle,” tight end Cole Kmet told Courtney Cronin of ESPN, perPro Football Talk. “He’s not just repeating the play, he’s telling you the play, and there’s a difference in that. 

“That gives me confidence as a player out in the field. He’s talking to each guy. It’s not just a repeat-a-play, he’s telling us a play, which is a difference.”