Ravens' Roquan Smith Praised by NFL Insider: 'I Can't Believe' Bears Traded LB

Coaches gushed over Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and questioned why the Chicago Bears decided to trade him as part of ESPN's rankings of the top off-ball linebackers in the NFL ahead of the 2023 season.

Smith came in at No. 2 in the rankings, and according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an anonymous NFL coordinator said, "I can't believe [the Bears] let him out of their building."

Another coordinator praised Smith's all-around skill set, saying, "He's everything a linebacker is supposed to be. Doesn't have a weakness. Intelligence, versatility, consistent tackler, plus athleticism."

The Ravens acquired the 26-year-old Smith from the Bears in October in exchange for second- and fifth-round picks in 2023 and linebacker A.J. Klein.

Chicago used those picks to select Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell.

The Bears originally made Smith the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of Georgia, and while he shockingly wasn't named to the Pro Bowl in any of his four full seasons in Chicago, he established himself as one of the league's top linebackers nonetheless.

Smith registered over 100 tackles in each of his first four seasons, as well as 14 sacks, five interceptions and 43 tackles for loss. As a result, Smith was named a second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2021.

Through eight games with the Bears last season, Smith was off to a red-hot start, but since the two sides could not come to terms on a new contract, Chicago dealt him to Baltimore.

Smith had similar numbers in eight games with the Bears and nine games with the Ravens, finishing overall with a career-high 169 tackles, plus 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and 11 tackles for loss.

That performance netted Smith his first career Pro Bowl nod and selection to the All-Pro First Team.

Smith's efforts played a significant role in the Ravens reaching the playoffs, and with quarterback Lamar Jackson back and healthy ahead of the 2023 season, Baltimore figures to be among the top contenders in the AFC.