Bears fans are reacting to the news that Roquan Smith wants out of Chicago.
On Tuesday morning, Smith released a lengthy statement in which details how his contract negotiations with the Bears have gone sour leading to him requesting a trade.
Among the frustrations detailed:
— Roquan Smith has lost trust by what he believes are their attempts to take advantage of him.
— He feels this entire process hasn’t been a negotiation, just the Bears trying to strong-arm him with a take-it or leave-it deal https://t.co/E3tqyU6eAe— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022
“Unfortunately, the new front office regime doesn’t value me here,” Smith wrote. “They’ve refused to negotiate in good faith, every step of this journey has been ‘take it or leave it.’ The deal sent to me is one that would be bad for myself, and for the entire LB market if I signed it. I’ve been trying to get something done that’s fair since April, but their focus has been on trying to take advantage of me.
“I wanted to be a Bear for my entire career, help this team bring a Super Bowl back to our city. However, they have left me no choice than to request a trade that allows me to play for an organization that truly values what I bring to the table.”
“I haven’t had the chance to talk to the McCaskey family, and maybe they can salvage this,” he wrote, “but as of right now I don’t see a path back to the organization I truly love.”
Bears fans didn’t take the news of Smith’s trade request very well.
https://twitter.com/mattnewts/status/1556992183718367232
Just woke up to Roquan Smith requesting a trade, man…
My only guess is the new #Bears regime doesn’t value off-ball LBs enough to pay him $20M? Either way, this is a damn shame. Just pay him what he goddamn deserves.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 9, 2022
The Chicago Bears are just an inept franchise that repeatedly gets everything wrong.
Roquan Smith is their best player that they aren’t taking seriously and now he will probably be traded. Nasty
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) August 9, 2022
So roquan smith fired his agent and slammed the nuke button. What a king
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) August 9, 2022
The way #Bears have handled the Roquan Smith contract situation is pathetic. Now Roquan's requested a trade. Way to make a first impression, Ryan Poles.
— Flo Ottis (@flo_ottis) August 9, 2022
