The Bears and first-round pick Roquan Smith are reportedly close to an agreement on the linebacker's rookie contract, and a deal is expected to be reached by Monday night, according to ESPN.
Bears and first-round pick Roquan Smith working to put finishing touches on agreement and have deal done by end of day, per source. Holdout looks to be coming to an end shortly.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2018
Bears are giving LB Roquan Smith a four-year, guaranteed $18 million slotted deal, per the CBA. Deal should include about $11 million in form of bonuses.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2018
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Chosen No. 8 overall out of Georgia, the pass-rushing linebacker had been the last holdout among the 2018 first-round picks. The apparent sticking point, according to the Chicago Tribune, dealt with guaranteed money. Specifically, the paper reported that Smith's agents at CAA Football insisted the Bears "include contract language protecting the player from discipline for behavior outside the realm of a football play."
The Bears’ second preseason game is Saturday against the Broncos, and Smith will likely miss that, according to earlier reports. Bears coach Matt Nagy told the Associated Press Sunday that Smith's holdout is limiting his chances of playing in Week 1 of the regular season.
“I think it does,” Nagy said. "You’re playing at that position and there are a lot of calls that go on, very similar to a quarterback, there’s a lot going on. But I have full confidence in Vic [Fangio, Chicago’s defensive coordinator] and his staff that when he does get here, they’ll get him up to speed and whenever that is, we’ll see.”