OT: Bears & NFL Talk 90

[plasmonresonance]

Up to now, Poles hasn't come across as a complete buffoon. So I'd be a bit surprised if they don't get something done. If the D had other mainstays with Pro-Bowl level talent, or if R Smith was in his late 20's or if they were cap strapped, maybe I could understand not re-signing. But none of that applies in Roquan's case. At only 25 yrs old, he still has several good years ahead.

 

[HawksBeerFan]

I'm a bit torn on this. I think Roquan is a very good player, and certainly a lot better than what we have. That said, I'm not sure he's one of the very best players in the league at his position and I'm not sure it makes sense to commit massive money to a LB. On the other hand, it's not like we don't have a lot of cap space to work with.

Obviously Roquan has leaked stuff about the details of the contract, and the main issue appears to be that it is backloaded and won't make him the highest paid LB in the league right now? I know the NFL is sometimes a case of the most recent star to hit the market will be the highest paid, regardless of if they're really the best at the position.

I don't know, I see it from both sides, but it seems clear the Bears are offering him a lot of money, Roquan just doesn't like the structure.

It also probably doesn't help that Roquan is his own agent, so it all feels more personal from that perspective.

 

[Illinihockey]

He absolutely is one of the best players at his position

 

[hawksrule]

This is so Bears. If ever a franchise needed new owners, it’s decades overdue.

 

[plasmonresonance]

Poles just addressed the media about Smith business. Not much other than he thought the Bears offer hadn't disrespected Roquan and they thought they would be further along in negotiations than they are.

Until either side puts out the numbers they're talking about, nobody knows who is being unreasonable.


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[No Fun Shogun]

"Bears doing a good job," says the Bears.

 

[HawksBeerFan]

He absolutely is one of the best players at his position

I guess I left the definition a bit vague, but to me, he's not in the conversation for being the best linebacker in the game. If there's a tier 1 of the top ~5 guys in the league, he's either at the very bottom of that tie,r but most likely at the top of the next tier.

Like I said, I think he's very good, but to me he's not up there with the best of the best.

 

[Space umpire]

I guess I left the definition a bit vague, but to me, he's not in the conversation for being the best linebacker in the game. If there's a tier 1 of the top ~5 guys in the league, he's either at the very bottom of that tie,r but most likely at the top of the next tier.

Like I said, I think he's very good, but to me he's not up there with the best of the best.

32 teams, a mix of 4/3 and 3/4 defenses.
I’d say the the 5th or 6th best (just using your opinion) of 110 linebackers is up there with the best of the best.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Roquan is a stud. The end.

 

[Clownish]

32 teams, a mix of 4/3 and 3/4 defenses.
I’d say the the 5th or 6th best (just using your opinion) of 110 linebackers is up there with the best of the best.

The most accurate and scientific way is to consult Madden 23 ratings, which has him sixth among linebackers:

1. Fred Warner, 49ers: 94

2. Demario Davis, Saints: 93

3. Lavonte David, Buccaneers: 92

4. Bobby Wagner, Rams: 91

5. Darius Leonard, Colts: 90

6. Roquan Smith, Bears: 89

T-7. Micah Parsons, Cowboys: 88

T-7. Eric Kendricks, Vikings: 88

9. De'Vondre Campbell, Packers: 87

10. Devin White, Buccaneers: 85

 

[Illinihockey]

If he wants to be the highest paid linebacker….not sure I’d go there

 

[HawksBeerFan]

If he wants to be the highest paid linebacker….not sure I’d go there

I know I initially made the point and it has caused some nitpicking on exactly how good he is, but your post is basically what I was after.

1. He's looking for a deal that would pay him in the $18-20 million range per season.

2. We'd be committing that money to a non-premium position (QB, WR, LT, pass rusher, CB). Obviously we don't really have a lot of other guys that need to be paid at those positions, and we have a lot of cap, but it's about where you want money to be committed long term.

Adam Hoge made a point in a similar vein yesterday. If you were to trade Roquan, what would you get back? Very likely a 2nd rounder, and maybe at the very most a late 1st? Compare that to when CBs or WRs get traded and you can see how the NFL values the position overall.

I'm not saying I would or would not sign him, but I do think there are reasons to be hesitant in going out and just making him the highest paid LB in the league.

 

[HawksBeerFan]

 

[ChiHawks10]

Soooo.... Roquan is being greedy?

I find it hard to believe that the Bears are on the right side of this, but most the evidence does seem to point to that, eh?

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Schefter is a mouthpiece of league

So, it's likely he is being fed information that owners want out there

I would want a more reliable voice to chime in

Bears don't deserve benefit of doubt on anything at this point

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Only team in NFL that has to routinely deal with this nonsense now that Raiders have left Oakland

 

[clydesdale line]

Roquan had issues with his rookie contract too once upon a time and held out. He also had a questionable "car accident" too and off the field issues that the Bears kept hush hush. I side with the players 99.9% of the time when it comes to negotiations but Roquan does have history of this.

 

[HawksBeerFan]

Schefter is a mouthpiece of league

So, it's likely he is being fed information that owners want out there

I would want a more reliable voice to chime in

Bears don't deserve benefit of doubt on anything at this point

How is that any different than Roquan using Rap as his personal mouth piece?

I think the point is both sides are trying to use the media to get their side of the story out.

 

[plasmonresonance]

While the Bears ownership is questionable when it comes to running a football organization, they generally open their pocketbook to pay the players. Some of the recent contracts have even been overpays.

 

[HeisenBaez]

Ro Smith is basically throwing a hissy fit. Let others said, most of the time I will side with the players on situations like this but Ro is making it easy to side Poles.

This is what happens when a NFL player decides to act as his own agent. He has a fool for a client.

 

[BHawk21]

I dont know how anyone can take bears management side. Maybe its just posturing by Roquon to get a couple extra bucks. He is going to another losing season he doesnt owe them a thing.

 

[Mrfenn92]

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

You guys could be Browns fans.

 

[madgoat33]

You guys could be Browns fans.

After trading for and paying a sex pest, hard pass...

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

After trading for and paying a sex pest, hard pass...

It was less of an offer and more of a reminder.