CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears have made Roquan Smith off-limits to media since training camp opened last month.
The inside linebacker has gotten his word out, however, sending a message Tuesday to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport indicating he has requested a trade.
Smith has been present for training camp but has staged a “hold-in,” meaning he is present but not participating in hopes of receiving a new contract. Smith’s long statement indicates that he has reached a boiling point in trying to negotiate a contract without an agent. This, no doubt, escalates the challenge for first-year general manager Ryan Poles.
