The Chicago Bears have a rich history of great middle linebackers, from Bill George to Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Brian Urlacher.
Roquan Smith, who’s in his second year, is hoping he’s the next name in the line of greats. And the early reviews are encouraging, to say the least.
Back in June, outside linebacker Khalil Mack said that he had All-Pro hopes for Smith, who despite missing training camp and preseason last year, impressed during his rookie season leading the Bears with 122 tackles, including eight tackles for loss, along with five sacks, five pass breakups and an interception.
Considering that was what Smith accomplished without training camp and preseason, there was a firm belief that Smith could be even better in 2019.
Following the first two games this season, Smith again finds himself leading the team in tackles with 18, and he’s only going to get better the more comfortable he gets.
“He played a little faster in Week 1 than he did last week, but that’s the ebbs and flows of being a second-year player and learning a new defense,” coach Matt Nagy said, via the Sun-Times. “So there’s gonna be some of that, but I love where he’s at. I’m excited that we got him. He’s gonna be a really good one for us.”
It isn’t just the Bears that are picking up on it — it’s also their opposition. Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello remarked that Smith “might be as good as any inside linebacker in this league.”
Smith is living up to everything the Bears hoped when they drafted him No. 8 overall in 2018. And assuming Smith continues to play this well — or better — for the Bears, Mack’s All-Pro declaration might just come to fruition.
