The Chicago Bears have traded star linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens, and Twitter had a lot to say about the blockbuster move.
With the NFL Trade deadline approaching, the Chicago Bears are looking to build for the future, and that included the trade of Roquan Smith.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears are trading the former No. 8 overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a second and fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which brings the Bears’ grand total of draft picks next April to 9.
Compensation update: Bears are trading LB Roquan Smith to the Ravens in exchange for second- and fifth-round picks, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2022
As expected, Twitter had a lot to say on the matter. Some believe it was a good move to trade Smith in the last year of his rookie contract, while others are criticizing the Bears for this decision by general manager Ryan Poles.
Have to admit I don’t understand trading Roquon. That said he must have seen it coming and that was a reason for his lackluster stet play yesterday
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) October 31, 2022
The Bears are playing to win. They aren't tanking.
— Jack Wright (@BearDownJack) October 31, 2022
Any draft capital they might gain via tanking does not outweigh the value of consistent prep, practice, and play focused on winning football games.
True or false?
the Bears trading away their two best defensive players is an example of systemically horrendous use of capital.
— Joey Polo (@alililliterate) October 31, 2022
this is why it is paramount you hire a competent GM.
Chicago has been forced to trade Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith out of a pure need of cap space.
joke franchise.
Bears are at least trying to build the right way. Between an aging Robert Quinn and a disgruntled Roquan Smith in a contract year, they've gotten a 2nd, 4th, and 5th round pick. They know it's more important to get some young draft picks around Justin Fields before they ruin him.
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) October 31, 2022
Bears Roquan Smith to the Ravens!!?? I am not ok with this!!
— Mal the Sports Gal (@malsportsgal) October 31, 2022
Thanks for the professional you are roquan Smith. Goodluck in Baltimore bruv 🙏🏾 🙏🏾 #dabears #Bears #BearDown
— Akin 🇳🇬 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 ♊ God above everything!! (@oyebee) October 31, 2022
2 and 5 for Roquan Smith, I like it for both teams. Ravens D gets a major boost, Bears continue their blow up
— Daniel Wexler (@WexlerRules) October 31, 2022
https://twitter.com/AirmanSandoval/status/1587166417622908928?s=20&t=bKzJMhJWGztCRcA36YwcTA
The Chicago Bears’ trade of Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens provided mixed reactions on social media
A former first-round pick out of Georgia, Roquan Smith, played an integral role in Chicago’s run to the NFC North Title in 2018. So far this season, Smith has played well, except for Sunday’s contest against the Dallas Cowboys. However, the story doesn’t end there.
Many will recall the offseason saga, where Smith went public with his contract situation, forcing Ryan Poles into a position many would have cringed at. Yet, Poles handled the situation well and expressed a desire to retain Smith. That said, it didn’t come to fruition, and instead, Smith will be playing in a different uniform for the rest of the season and likely the rest of his career.
With the trade of Robert Quinn, the Bears defense now lacks two talented players. Given their performance against the Cowboys, it doesn’t look like things will get better for Chicago. But this team is in a rebuild, and the more draft capital they can acquire, the more chances they have to land better talent for the long haul. It’s not just about one year and being a flash in the pan, as Ryan Pace’s tenure was. It’s different.
Ultimately, trading Roquan Smith, one of the team’s best players, may not seem like a good move at the moment. But if the Bears’ plan comes to fruition, they may look back on this decision and say it was painful — but the right one to make.