Bears superstar holding out of training camp
Ian Rapoport reported that 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.
Here was Bears' writer Jacob Infante's reaction to the news:
He's young, he's athletic, and he's the best player they have. On a team with little elite talent, you don't let an elite player walk. Just pay the man.
Smith has ranked in the top-ten for both combined and solo tackles in the past two seasons. In terms of solo tackles, he's racked up 193 in the past two seasons.
The young middle linebacker has yet to capture a Pro-Bowl or All-Pro selection, to which it's been believed he deserves for his impeccable stats. His underwhelming recognition was capped off earlier this week by receiving a Madden NFL rating of 89.
Smith, 25, has a lot more football left to play with the Bears.
With other superstar linebackers such as Darius Leonard and Fred Warner signing deals worth $99 and $95 million in guaranteed money, respectively, Smith stands to become the first inside linebacker to receive more than $100 million in guaranteed money...
Pay the man, Ryan Poles.
