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Roquan Smith, a linebacker for the Chicago Bears, was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday in exchange for linebacker AJ Klein, second-round picks, and fifth-round picks.
Smith will make $9.735 million this season, of which $5.4 million is due for the remaining part of the season. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears will foot $4.8 million of his remaining salary as part of the trade.
At the same time, the Ravens will pay him the league minimum of $575,000 for the remainder of the season.
The player was in talks with the Chicago Bears for $20 million a year, but when these talks stagnated before training camp, he wanted a move. Smith avoided playing during camp in an effort to spur the team to solve the issue.
In the previous four campaigns, Roquan Smith has been among the most elite in his role in the game. Still, he became dissatisfied with his salary situation in Chicago. As Smith makes Baltimore his new home, he will probably sign a bigger contract.
Current state of the Chicago Bears after Roquan Smith's departure
It appears that the Chicago Bears have completed their talent purge after last week's Robert Quinn trade to the Philadelphia Eagles. With the trade of team captain and perhaps their best player, Roquan Smith, to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, they further depleted their quality pool.
The two-time All-Pro recorded an NFL-high 83 tackles, two-and-a-half sacks, four tackles for loss, and two interceptions this season.
He is anticipated to join the middle alongside Patrick Queen to give the Baltimore Ravens one of the NFL's quickest linebacker partnerships. He will also strengthen an area that has occasionally plagued the defensive unit which currently ranks 28th in yards allowed and 20th in points allowed.
Ryan Poles increased his side's draft stock last week, adding second, fourth, and fifth-round selections. Chicago currently possesses over $100 million in salary cap space and nine selection picks in the 2023 draft.
Bears supporters were dissatisfied with Ryan Poles' inaction after he took management this offseason. However, the team is on track for a crucial 2023 spring in Poles' rebuild with supplemental draft picks and cap space and has also received two more draft picks to hasten their rebuild under new ownership.
