In 2022, there was a significant rift between the Chicago Bears, primarily stemming from contract negotiations that reached a stalemate and eventually led to Roquan Smith expressing his desire to be traded through a statement on Apple Notes.
The situation became quite ugly, and it appears that Roquan Smith has no immediate plans to reconcile with the Chicago Bears organization. He recently had an in-depth conversation with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, shedding light on his feelings about the trade and revealing a level of openness that we haven't witnessed since his departure from Chicago.
“And when I just think about it from the perspective of having the opportunity to compete for one year in and year out with the talent we have. Man, it makes me so happy, just knowing my career is not going down the drain, in the sense of playing somewhere where I’m not truly competing for a title.”
Is Roquan Smith Really Wrong?
What hurts the most is that Roquan Smith is absolutely right. Smith is now part of a stable organization in Baltimore, and his team appears to be a consistent contender for the foreseeable future. In contrast, the Bears are still dealing with the same old issues that existed when Smith was with them. The coaching staff is underwhelming, and even though there might be some improvements in the front office, it's still a big topic of debate.
Since Smith was dealt, the Bears went on their longest losing streak in franchise history, and the team's culture has largely remained embarrasing. On the other hand, Roquan's career has been on the upswing. He's finally earned All-Pro recognition, a nod that was arguably deserved during his time in Chicago. While some may feel upset about Smith's blunt comments, the truth is, he's simply stating a harsh reality. The Chicago Bears continue to be seen as a joke, and they have a long journey ahead of them to change that perception.
Bears vs Saints
If you want a great insight on Tyson Bagent, the Bears and so much more that went wrong vs the Saints, be sure to check out the video below.
