The Chicago Bears finally managed to get their first round pick signed. It took much longer than they would've hoped and could've gotten ugly at several different intervals along the way. Credit to both side for preventing that from happening. Communication was constant and eventually, the two sides found the common ground they were looking for.
While most fans are anxious to see Smith back in action at Bears practice, there is still one question left unanswered. What in the world did GM Ryan Pace do that convinced the young linebacker to sign on the dotted line? It turns out rather than one side getting all of what they wanted going either way, there was a compromise.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk acquired detailed information of the contract language Smith received in his new deal. It's a complex setup as one would expect with a few clever installments that offer protection for both the player and the team. It all depends on the severity of the incidents should they ever occur.
"Per a source with knowledge of the deal, the two sides agreed to a specific formula that gives Smith protection against most of the potential incidents that would arise while he is in uniform and on a football field. As to anything that could happen during a play (for example, lowering the helmet, unnecessary roughness, illegal hit on a defenseless receiver, roughing the quarterback), Smith’s guarantees void only if the league office imposes a suspension of three games or more..."
Roquan Smith can avoid non-football punishment for if it's in defense
This would make sense. Most suspensions that arise from bad hits are two games in length at most. Only the most egregious receiver more. Danny Trevathan got suspended two games last year for his hit on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams. He got that reduced to one thanks to his lack of history with such issues. Chicago did not go after the guarantees in his contract for it. Smith now has the same protections in writing. Not only that but he also got a bit extra for non-football problems on the field."...As to a potential suspension arising from something happening after a play, Smith’s guaranteed money will not void if he’s suspended for one game for an incident that occurs while defending himself or a teammate...as to whether Smith was or wasn’t the aggressor in a given situation, the Bears yielded on their prior position that they should have discretion to decide whether to void guarantees based on a post-play incident. Instead, Smith’s guarantees will void only if he’s suspended two games for a post-play infraction, or if he’s deemed to be the aggressor as to an incident resulting in a one-game suspension."This paints a clear picture that the Bears were willing to relent on their previous position while still not quite giving Smith everything he wanted. This is often how amiable contract negotiations go. When there's a disagreement, the two sides keep talking until they find solutions that both can live with. It may not have happened as fast as some would've liked, but they got it done. Smith is officially a Chicago Bear and ready to begin what should be a promising career.
