Bears All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith has officially requested a trade out of Chicago due to the Bears’ less-than-ideal negotiating tactics. Smith, who represents himself, has lost trust in the team and believes they’re trying to take advantage of him with a take-it or leave-it deal. Should the Falcons be interested?
#Bears All-Pro LB Roquan Smith has requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/x4vmOMhROt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022
Falcons fans, many of whom are also UGA fans, have voiced their desires to acquire the former Dawg, and current Falcons are even making their voice heard.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/6bH7QoCZQQ
— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) August 9, 2022
Roquan smith is the tweet!!!!
— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) August 9, 2022
Smith is only 25 years old and is one of the best players at his position — rarely missing tackles, excellent in coverage, and versatile enough to be effective when blitzing. He’s also only making about $9 million this season, and the Falcons have over $12 million in cap space, so a trade would work financially.
The Falcons are also not exactly set at the position. Troy Andersen has the potential to be something special, but he’s an unproven commodity. Mykal Walker hasn’t been a full-time starter in his career, so the jury is still out on him. Rashaan Evans, Nick Kwiatkoski, and Deion Jones are all veterans, but none compare to Roquan Smith.
Ryan Pace has been quite active in the Falcons front office since Terry Fontenot brought him to Atlanta. The former Bears general manager certainly has Fontenot’s ear. There are clear advantages to acquiring a player of Smith’s quality, but there are also downsides.
The Falcons would be able to afford the new contract that Smith will garner next offseason, but how does a franchise trying to unload an off-ball linebacker because of his terrible contract trade for one only to make him the highest-paid player at his position? That is gross incompetence. I’m not comparing Smith to Deion Jones by any means, but a team giving their first lucrative free agent contract to a linebacker isn’t exactly a wise decision in my eyes.
I seriously doubt the Falcons are going to make this deal happen. The team could potentially reach out to gauge the price to acquire Smith, but I imagine the compensation required to land an All-Pro will turn Fontenot away.
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