Roquan Smith of the Ravens Shares a Candid Reflection on His Time with the Bears: "It Fills Me with Joy"
The brief career span in the NFL, averaging just over three years, makes every moment count for the athletes who want to leave a lasting impact.
Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Roquan Smith, fresh from a dominant 37-3 victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9, looked back on his move from the Chicago Bears to the Ravens at the 2022 trade deadline with a sense of relief and happiness.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Smith expressed his contentment: "Man, it makes me so happy, knowing that my career isn't just fading away, especially being somewhere that isn't in the running for a championship."
For fans of the Chicago Bears, where Smith began his NFL journey as the 8th overall pick in the 2018 draft, his words might be tough to hear. Smith was a key player from the start, a dynamo on the defensive line with an average of over 100 combined tackles per year and recognition on two 2nd All-Pro teams.
The revelation of Smith's availability for trade came as a surprise, given his formidable presence on the Bears' defense. Smith himself described the departure as "bittersweet," acknowledging his connection to Chicago but also his desire for championship competition, which seemed unlikely if he remained with the Bears.
The contrast between his former and current teams is stark; the Ravens are leading the AFC North with a 7-2 record, poised for a Super Bowl run, while the Bears are lagging with a 2-7 record, eyeing a top draft pick for the second year in a row.
Roquan Smith is having a stellar year at the helm of the Ravens' defense. After he was traded, the Ravens awarded him with a new five-year, $100 million contract. Since joining the Ravens, Smith's performance has soared, with his sights set on surpassing his previous season's stats.
Pro Football Focus has rated Smith's current season as the pinnacle of his career with an overall grade of 88.3, a significant leap from his previous best. His pass coverage is particularly notable, scoring 90.1.
Ranked 4th out of 81 linebackers, Smith's performance is a testament to the high standards of the Ravens' legacy.
Smith's definition of what it means to play for the Ravens is "playing lights out defense," and he feels deeply valued in his new home, noting the contrast in appreciation from his time in Chicago.
Recognizing the legacy of Raven's defensive greats like Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, and Bart Scott, Smith feels inspired to push himself even further, honoring the path they've paved.
| POLL | ||
9 NOVEMBRE | 34 ANSWERS Roquan Smith of the Ravens Shares a Candid Reflection on His Time with the Bears: "It Fills Me with Joy" Will the Bears regret trading away Roquan Smith? | ||
| yes | 23 | 67.6 % |
| No | 11 | 32.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
