Very concerning update on Roquan Smith's contract situation...
As I'm sure most of you are aware, Roquan Smith is in the midst of a very public and drama-filled contract negotiation. Oh, and by the way, he also asked to be traded away from the Bears last week...
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that an unknown person who isn't a certified agent has called several clubs to discuss a possible Smith trade. It's not known if this is someone associated with Smith or an unrelated person.
Pelissero also reported that the NFL Management Council sent a warning to all teams, reminding them that taking a call with a player under contract or their agent is tampering, and they're prepared to dole out serious punishment if anyone breaks the rules.
With all of that, a lot of Bears fans (including me) are still hoping that the relationship is not too far damaged and that Smith can remain a Chicago Bear for a long time. But, it looks like the chances of that happening are very slim...
Indeed, Bears insider Aaron Wilson reported that the situation is very critical at the moment.
Smith isn't practicing, in a classic «hold-in,» that has become the trend in NFL contract disputes. He was recently activated by the team.
Whether the gap can be bridged is hard to say, but it's not looking good at the moment. One league source predicted this dispute will go all the way up to and likely into the season.
As for the Bears' general manager, he did not seem that confident that a deal was imminent as well...
«I think he's a very good football player. I love the kid. I love what he's done on the field, which makes me really disappointed with where we're at right now. I thought we'd be in a better situation, to be completely honest with you. In terms of our philosophy in the front office, I've always believed and always will that we take care of our homegrown talent.
«We pay them. We take care of them and we take everyone for what they've done and what they can become in the future. And with this situation, we've showed respect from a very early time frame, and with that said, there's record-setting pieces of this contract that I thought was going to show him the respect he deserves, and obviously, that hasn't been the case.»
