Roquan Smith Taken Off PUP List by Bears amid Trade Request
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday that the Bears removed LB Roquan Smith from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list even though he is "not expected to begin practicing" as he continues his hold-in during the team's training camp.
This comes after the linebacker requested a trade, writing, in part, "unfortunately, the new front office regime doesn't value me here. They've refused to negotiate in good faith, every step of this journey has been 'take it or leave it.' The deal sent to me is one that would be bad for myself, and for the entire LB market if I signed it."
This means that starting tomorrow, the Chicago Bears if they want can fine Roquan Smith $40,000 a day if he doesn't practice.
It will be interesting to see if the team chooses to discipline him during his holdout. I think we can all agree that Smith deserves to be paid fairly, but it seems like GM Ryan Poles is trying not to give on to his demands and he wants Smith to take a deal that he does not feel good about.
