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When the NFL announced the Pro Bowl rosters for the AFC and NFC earlier this week, there was a noticeable absence for the Chicago Bears.
While outside linebacker Robert Quinn and return specialist Jakeem Grant earned well-deserved nods, linebacker Roquan Smith was snubbed for the second straight season.
Smith has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL over the last couple of years, and he doesn’t get the respect he deserves.
This season, Smith has 140 tackles (third in the NFL), nine tackles for loss (fifth among linebackers), three sacks (tied for fifth among LBs), a 76.9 passer rating allowed (10th among LBs) and has only a 4.1 missed tackle percentage.
Bears defense coordinator Sean Desai called it a “travesty” that Smith wasn’t voted to the Pro Bowl.
“He deserves every single accolade that one of the best linebackers in the league deserves,” Desai said. “…His play, his relentless nature, his speed shows up every week.”
Smith hasn’t put much stock into outside accolades, but you have to believe he’s using the continued disrespect to fuel him.
