Linebacker Roquan Smith of the Chicago Bears looks on in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, October 30, 2022. /CFP
The Baltimore Ravens traded with the Chicago Beats to acquire two-time Second-Team All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
Schefter revealed that the Ravens will send linebacker A.J. Klein, second- and fifth-round draft picks in 2023 to the Bears for Smith. As the current tackles leader of the NFL (83), he is expected to bolster one of the Ravens' biggest defensive shortcomings.
Smith is one of the most complete linebackers in the league with four tackles for loss, three quarterback (QB) hits, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions so far this season. He is trustworthy in pass-rushing as well as containing wide receivers and running backs.
Linebacker Roquan Smith (R) of the Chicago Bears sacks quarterback Carson Wentz of the Washington Commanders in the game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, October 13, 2022. /CFP
Smith will continue to make $5.408 million for the rest of the 2022 regular season. The Bears will shoulder $4.833 million of it and the rest will come from the Ravens, according to Schefter. With only one year left of his current contract, which has a $9.7 million fifth-year option, he asked for an extension that is bigger than the five-year, $99.25-million deal Shaquille Leonard got from the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears' front office rejected Smith's request before he asked the team to trade him. He didn't attend their training camp until late August.
The Ravens are 5-3 and leading the American Football Conference (AFC) North Division after visiting and defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-22 on October 27. They averaged 26 points, the fifth most, but allowed 22.9 points per game, the 20th among all 32 teams. Lamar Jackson has completed 148 of 235 passes for 1,635 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions. He's also carried the ball 75 times for 553 yards and two touchdowns.
The extension talks between Jackson and the Ravens went nowhere during the offseason as he will become an unrestricted free agent when the season ends. The team will have to be ready to use the franchise tag on him if no deal is reached by then. So, they need to sign an extension with Smith in six months before free agency begins.