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AP source: Bears agree to trade LB Roquan Smith to Ravens

By The Associated Press
Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz is sacked by Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Smith currently leads the NFL in tackles and has the second-most tackles in the NFL since 2018. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Chicago Bears agreed to trade linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.

Smith, the NFL leader in tackles so far this season, joins a Baltimore team that has won two in a row and sits atop the AFC North.

The Ravens have had their issues defensively this season, but they’ve improved in that area and now add a second-team All-Pro to their linebacking group.

It’s the Bears’ second major trade involving a defensive player in less than a week. They dealt three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Quinn to Philadelphia for a 2023 fourth-round pick on Wednesday.

Smith was at the dais addressing reporters when reports of the Quinn trade surfaced. He became emotional and cut the session short.

On Monday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh held his usual weekly news conference — shortly before the news of the Smith trade broke. He was asked is he anticipated a move before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

“If I did, then the cat would be out of the bag,” he said.

The 25-year-old Smith has 83 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks this season. A first-round pick by Chicago in 2018, he has 16 1/2 sacks in his career.

With his rookie contract set to expire, Smith was hoping to strike a new deal. He participated in voluntary and mandatory offseason workouts, but with negotiations at a standstill with the Bears, things took a heated turn once training camp started.

Smith, who does not have an agent, opted to “hold in” — attending meetings and practices without participating in drills. Tensions boiled over when he went public with a trade request.

He accused general manager Ryan Poles of negotiating in bad faith.

Smith eventually ended his hold-in and practiced for the first time on Aug. 20.

Now he joins the Ravens, who have led by double digits in every game this season and would have an even better record if not for some pretty bad fourth-quarter collapses.

Ravens linebacker Justin Houston already has six sacks on the season. Linebacker Odafe Oweh and defensive lineman Calais Campbell are also pass-rushing threats — and the Ravens added linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul in late September.

Baltimore won at Tampa Bay last Thursday, so the Ravens have extra time to prepare for next Monday night’s game at New Orleans.

Harbaugh did have some bad news Monday, saying receiver Rashod Bateman could be out for a few weeks because of his foot injury. Also, running back Gus Edwards (hamstring) is day to day but could play against New Orleans.

The linebacking group could also receive a boost. Harbaugh said Tyus Bowser and rookie David Ojabo are set to be activated, and he thinks there’s a good chance Bowser will be ready to play. Both Bowser and Ojabo have been out because of Achilles tendon injuries.

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AP Sports Writer Andrew Seligman contributed to this report.

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More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

2023 NFL Free Agency: Biggest names on the free agent market

By NBC Sports Washington Staff
Biggest names in 2023 NFL Free Agency originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonWith the 2022 NFL season in the rearview, NFL teams can begin to look toward the draft combine and, of course, free agency. March 15 is the official start of free agency in the NFL, with March 13 as the start of the legal tampering period. Deals can be agreed to during this time, but none are official until the 15th at the earliest. Here's a look at some of the biggest names that were set to hit the free agency market.Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore RavensJackson and the Ravens have gone round-and-round regarding Jackson's extension, and it is still up in the air whether Jackson's long-term future will be in Baltimore or elsewhere. It's possible the Ravens will offer Jackson the franchise tag, but the former NFL MVP will be in for a huge payday once he signs a new deal, wherever that might be.Orlando Brown, OT, Kansas City ChiefsLike Jackson above, it's entirely possible the Chiefs use the franchise tag on the offensive lineman to keep him around for the 2023 campaign. Brown was one of the centerpieces of the Chiefs' Super Bowl run this past year, culminating in an immaculate performance in which the team didn't allow a sack in the big game.Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants2022 was the best year of Barkley's career to date. The Giants' bruising running back finished fourth in the NFL with 1,312 rushing yards on the season to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns. However, running backs are only as good as their offensive line, so it's possible Barkley won't get the same kind of cash as other players on this list.Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas RaidersSpeaking of running backs fresh off their breakout season, Jacobs tops the list. He paced the entire league with 1,653 rushing yards on the season with 12 rushing TDs. His elite cutting ability would make him a tasty acquisition for any team desperate to upgrade their run game, and with Raiders' QB Derek Carr headed to a new destination, Jacobs is likely next in line to depart.Daniel Jones, QB, New York GiantsJones isn't as big a target as Lamar Jackson, but the fact is he can flat out play. He had the lowest interception rate on pass attempts in the NFL this past year while leading his Giants to the playoffs despite shaky play from his wide receiver core. Another candidate for the franchise tag, Jones will get a hefty payday whether it's in the Big Apple or elsewhere.Jessie Bates III, S, Cincinnati BengalsBates has been a staple of the Bengals' secondary since they drafted him in the first round back in 2018. He's also coming off a career year with four interceptions, eight passes defended and 66 tackles. He already played last season on the franchise tag, so chances are he'll be an immediate plug-in piece to a new team's secondary.Geno Smith, QB, Seattle SeahawksWhat can be said about Geno Smith that hasn't already been said? After spending his entire career as a bridesmaid and never a bride, he finally got his chance to walk down the aisle this past year in Seattle -- and boy did he show out. He finished eighth in the league in passing yards, fourth in passing TDs, and willed the Seahawks to a postseason appearance in their first year of the post-Russell Wilson era. No wonder he earned Comeback Player of the Year and Pro Bowl honors. Teams should be scratching at the door to snatch him up, if Seattle misses their chance.Bobby Wagner, ILB, Los Angeles RamsThe six-time First Team All-Pros tenure in L.A. was short lived as the Rams and Wagner agreed to part ways following a disappointing campaign for the defending Super Bowl champs. Still, Wagner is as disruptive of an inside linebacker as you'll find in the league, so he'll provide some pass rush stability for whoever signs him.James Bradberry IV, CB, Philadelphia EaglesBradberry switched NFC East allegiances and enjoyed a conference title in his first year in Philly. He was a massive part of arguably the best secondary in the NFL, so it would be wise for the Eagles to do what they can to keep him. Though he's 29, Bradberry has serviceable years ahead of him.Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England PatriotsThough Meyers won't wow you with his numbers or any gravity-defying catches, he's as solid of a WR2 or WR3 as you'll find. That'll probably help his free agency quest, as he's a plug-and-play option for any team eager for wideout depth. At 26, Meyers could be a low-cost yet high-upside addition on the open market.
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