Bears break camp with first-round pick Roquan Smith still holding out, when will he sign?
Rookie holdouts used to be fairly regular. Since the latest collective bargaining agreement was signed, they almost never happen.
Yet, the Chicago Bears and linebacker Roquan Smith can’t come to an agreement.
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The Bears broke training camp in Bourbonnais, Illinois, after Sunday’s practice, which means the eighth pick of the draft won’t get one camp practice this season. Smith’s holdout is a bit confusing, and it will probably affect Smith’s rookie season. Smith is the only 2018 draft pick who hasn’t signed yet.
The Chicago Tribune wrote there are “no indications Smith and the Bears are having productive negotiations.”
Bears coach concerned Roquan Smith’s holdout has affected his Week 1 status
The Bears have finished camp and their first preseason game and even if Smith signs immediately, it would take him a little bit to be ready to play in a game. The Bears’ second preseason game is Saturday, and we should assume he’ll miss that that no matter when he signs.
The regular season opener is less than a month away, and Bears coach Matt Nagy acknowledged that the holdout is limiting Smith’s chances of playing Week 1.
“I think it does,” Nagy said, according to the Associated Press. “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.”
Keep in mind one key part of that quote: “whenever that is.” It doesn’t seem like anyone knows when this will end.
Why is Smith still holding out?
Considering how rare rookie holdouts are in the new CBA, with salaries slotted based on draft position, it’s a little surprising there haven’t been more updates about Smith.
The Bears aren’t talking about the holdout, and neither are Smith’s agents. There were reports weeks ago that the holdout was due to Smith’s agents wanting language that prevents the Bears from taking guaranteed money from Smith if he’s suspended for a violation of the NFL’s new helmet rule. Other reports have said there’s more to it than just that, but we don’t know the full details.
Whatever the full story is, it’s strange. There have been only three holdouts of 12 days or more under the current CBA, which was signed in 2011: Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon in 2012, San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa in 2016 and Smith.
How Smith’s holdout could impact his rookie season
The good news for the Bears is Bosa was just fine after holding out. Bosa didn’t sign until Aug. 29, by far the longest holdout this decade. Even though he almost immediately hurt his hamstring after signing and reporting, he had 10.5 sacks in 12 games and won NFL defensive rookie of the year.
Bosa’s situation provides hope that Smith could come in and still have a big impact on a Bears defense that returns every other starter other than its middle linebacker. However, Bosa plays defensive end and that position doesn’t have the same play-calling responsibilities as middle linebacker.
Smith’s holdout is confusing, considering the other 31 first-round picks were all signed on time. If it’s entirely about the language concerning possible suspension over the helmet rule, it’s a curious issue for both sides to dig in on. The only thing that really matters is the Bears’ season opener is less than four weeks away, and their prized rookie linebacker still hasn’t practiced in pads with them.
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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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