|
ESPN reported the Bears agreed to trade Smith to the Ravens for
second- and fifth-round draft picks in 2023, following the
rebuild pattern of shedding salary since general manager Ryan
Poles took over the team in January.
Smith, 25, is a two-time second-team All-Pro with the Bears and
was drafted eighth overall out of Georgia in 2018. He represents
an upgrade in the middle of the 3-4 defense in Baltimore, which
now stacks three first-rounders at the position in Patrick Queen
(2020, 28th overall), Odafe Oweh (2021, 31st) along with proven
veterans Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul at the fourth LB
spot.
The Ravens are atop the AFC North at 5-3, but defensive
standards are not being met.
They are 32nd in defensive yards per play -- 5.98-yard average
-- and passing yards per game (278.9) but first in the NFL
against the run (84.5 yards per game).
While the Bears are set with a potential $140 million to $150
million under the salary cap for 2023 free agency, they now
start over without the centerpiece of their defense in Smith.
Poles traded defensive end Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia
Eagles last week.
The league-leader in tackles at 83, according the NFL's official
statistics, Smith is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Negotiations between Poles and Smith's representatives became
contentious before training camp, when he demanded a trade.
The trade of Quinn hit Smith hard when he learned of his
departure during a press session last Wednesday.
Smith, who was fifth in the NFL in total tackles last season
(career-high 163). He has 608 total tackles and 14.5 sacks in 69
career games.
--Field Level Media
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
