The Bears made a move that not many liked on Wednesday, sending All-Pro defensive end Robert Quinn to the Eagles in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
It was a move bound to only make Eagles fans happy.
Quinn, who tallied 18.5 sacks in 16 games last year, was one of the key cogs in a Bears defense that has fared fairly well in 2022. And it seemed another one of those key cogs, linebacker Roquan Smith, was not too pleased with the transaction.
Smith was entrenched in his media availability responsibilities when he caught wind that Quinn was heading to Philly.
MORE: Robert Quinn trade details
The news hit Smith like a ton of bricks. Smith took a few moments to compose himself, but couldn’t get the words out. He abruptly ended his press conference shortly thereafter, simply telling reporters that he had “a lot of respect for [Quinn].”
Roquan Smith learned of the Robert Quinn trade while speaking to the media. He was emotional about it and had to leave the podium. pic.twitter.com/hiKjyn0HxJ
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) October 26, 2022
Smith and Quinn were two mainstays from Chicago’s 2020 playoff team. Both are among the best in the league at their position, with Smith and Quinn earning second team All-Pro honors in 2021.
Wednesday’s trade (and Smith’s subsequent reaction) spotlighted the growing tension between Smith and the organization over the years. Chicago hasn’t done much to surround Smith with talent over the course of his five-year career. And with just two playoff appearances in the last 10 years (and a 3-4 record this year), the franchise hasn’t shown much indication that it will.
MORE: Roquan Smith trade request, explained
Meanwhile, the talented linebacker has been frustrated with the Bears’ unwillingness to “negotiate in good faith” with Smith. He requested a trade away from Chicago in the offseason, citing the view that the organization’s latest contract offer is well below his market value.
Smith participated in a “hold-in” during training camp, at which point the Bears removed him from the physically unable to perform list. This move allowed the organization to fine him for missing practices. Smith, who doesn’t have an agent, seemingly enlisted the services of a non-NFLPA-certified representative to gauge trade interest around the league.
MORE: Smith’s mysterious uncertified ‘agent’ leaves more questions than answers
The hold-in was quickly resolved, with Smith returning to the field in early preseason. He indicated that he was not planning on entertaining contract offers with Chicago’s front office during the regular season.
“There’s no more offers at this time, and I don’t think there will be during the season,” Smith said in August (via NFL.com). “My focus has shifted to the season, so that’s what I’m focused on right now. It’s been an amazing four years and, hey, five, why not make it special?”
He has held up his end of the bargain so far: Smith leads the league in tackles (78), while adding 2.5 sacks and three pass deflections in just seven games this year.
However, based on his response to Quinn’s departure, it appears not much has changed between Smith and the front office in the months since his public trade request.
For the Eagles, who are 6-0, they put their chips in and got that much better while the Bears are playing for the future, despite a dominant win over the Patriots on ‘Monday Night Football.’
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