The Chicago Bears are known for their prolific linebackers. Names like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher and Bill George come to mind.
The Bears might’ve just found their next great linebacker in Roquan Smith.
On the Monday Morning NFL Podcast, experts Andy Benoit and Gary Gramling discussed the top linebackers in the league. These rankings are for traditional inside and outside linebackers only, so pass rushers like Khalil Mack and Von Miller are excluded.
MMQB ranked Smith as the sixth-best linebacker in the league, which tied him with the Cowboys’ Jaylon Smith.
10. Anthony Barr, Minnesota, 39 points
9. C.J. Mosley, N.Y. Jets, 48
8. K.J. Wright, Seattle, 54
6. (tie) Roquan Smith, Chicago, 56
6. (tie) Jaylon Smith, Dallas, 56
5. Deion Jones, Atlanta, 58
4. Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas, 65
3. Darius Leonard, Indianapolis, 68
2. Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 76
1. Luke Kuechly, Carolina, 80 (3 first-place votes)
Smith, who is entering his second season with the Bears, finished his rookie season with a team-high 121 tackles, five sacks and an interception.
“He has the tools, all the skill set and the personality traits to be elite and one of the premier players in his position in the game,” inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone said.
Smith is entering his first full offseason with the Bears, and the word is that he is quickly picking up what new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano is throwing at him. Fans could be in for something special this season and beyond.
