Chicago Bears rookie Roquan Smith won't be reporting into training camp until he inks his new deal with the team.
Smith who was selected by the Bears with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 National Football League Draft did not show up for training camp on Monday in Bourbonnais. With the team competing in the Hall of Fame Game next month, the Bears rookies were tasked to report to training camp on Monday while the Veterans will join them on Thursday.
The linebacker is just one of the 14 draft picks who have yet to sign a contract. Smith is set to receive roughly $18.5 million in the next four seasons. His contract will also include a team option in the fifth year.
Great Addition For The Bears
During his collegiate years in Georgia, Smith provided his team with a defensive lift as he tallied an incredible stat of 137 tackles to go along with 6.5 sacks last season. In addition, Smith also won a hardware during his stint in Georgia as he bagged the coveted Butkus award, a year ago. Football experts believe that Smith would play a crucial role in the middle of Vic Fangio's defense.
NFL writer Kevin Patra sang praises for Smith, saying that the linebacker's ability to defend the passing lanes and the rookie's acumen against the run would bolster the defensive wall of the Bears. Smith is expected to play alongside seasoned athlete, Danny Trevathan.
Nonetheless, Arthur Arkush of Pro Football Weekly believes that the Bears should immediately sign Smith into a new deal, saying that time is of the essence. The Bears will kick off the season this Aug. 4 when they take on Baltimore. Arkush added that Smith is among the favorites to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year plum.
Not The First Time In The League
It wasn't the first time that a highly drafted player has remained unsigned as training camps around the league. It can be recalled that Joey Bosa was not signed by the Los Angeles Chargers until late August.
The third overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft engaged in a war of words with the team over the provision that protects teams from paying a player's full salary if he's cut and signed by another club. Bosa eventually missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury but he managed to bounce back and bag the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
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