Chicago Bears star linebacker Roquan Smith is requesting a commerce, saying the workforce has not negotiated in good religion for a contract extension.
Smith, who doesn’t have an agent, wrote Tuesday in an announcement to NFL.com that he has “formally” requested to be dealt and that it was “deeply painful.” He mentioned he has been attempting to barter an extension since April and accused the workforce of attempting to make the most of him.
“Sadly, the brand new entrance workplace regime does not worth me right here,” he wrote. “They’ve refused to barter in good religion. Each step of this journey has been ‘take it or go away it.’ The deal despatched to me is one that may be dangerous for myself, and for the whole LB market if I signed it.”
Smith, the No. 8 total draft choose in 2018, was second-team All-Professional in 2020 and 2021. He’s getting into the fifth and last 12 months of his rookie contract.
The Bears made massive modifications after going 6-11 final season and lacking the playoffs for the ninth time in 11 years. They fired basic supervisor Ryan Tempo and coach Matt Nagy and changed them with Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus.
Smith participated in voluntary and necessary offseason exercises. He reported to coaching camp on time and was positioned on the bodily unable to carry out listing.
“I needed to be a Bear for my total profession, assist this workforce carry a Tremendous Bowl again to our metropolis,” Smith wrote. “Nonetheless, they’ve left me no selection than to request a commerce that permits me to play for a corporation that really values what I carry to the desk.”
Smith mentioned he hasn’t talked to workforce possession. He left the door ajar for the McCaskey household to “salvage this.”
“However as of proper now, I do not see a path again to the group I actually love,” he wrote.
