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Precisely one week after breaking down in tears when teammate Robert Quinn acquired traded by the Bears, inside linebacker Roquan Smith was all smiles after his first observe since leaving the Bears himself.
Smith, who was acquired by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, acknowledged he was “shocked” to be dealt a day earlier than the NFL’s commerce deadline.
“I did not plan to [get traded], however you realize, life occurs at occasions and acquired traded,” Smith mentioned, flashing a large grin. “So initially I used to be shocked. However I am excited to be right here. Good group of fellows that is contending for a title, and that is what I am within the recreation to play for — enjoying for a title.”
The NFL’s main tackler, Smith goes from the rebuilding Bears (3-5) to the first-place Ravens (5-3). He’s trying to present a lift to a Baltimore protection that ranks No. 24 within the NFL, has allowed a league-worst 83 fourth-quarter factors this season and has failed to carry three double-digit leads.
And, regardless of reaching the playoffs 5 occasions this decade, the Ravens have but to advance previous the divisional spherical since they received the Tremendous Bowl in 2012.
“I do know they attempting to recover from the hump and win the large recreation,” Smith mentioned. “So I really feel like I could be one of many guys that may assist with that. So I am excited to have the ability to give every thing I acquired to make that occur.”
Baltimore traded a second- and fifth-round choose in 2023, together with linebacker A.J. Klein to Chicago, for Smith, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bears paid $4.833 million of Smith’s $5.408 million wage for the remainder of the season, a supply added, which allowed the Ravens to get Smith below their wage cap.
Smith, who’s within the closing yr of his rookie deal, declined to say whether or not he has began negotiations on a contract extension with Baltimore.
“I am not likely targeted on that proper now,” he mentioned. “All the things’s occurred actually, actually rapidly, so I am simply attempting to deal with honing in on this playbook proper now and attending to that. However my important focus proper now could be studying the playbook and getting an amazing relationship with the blokes after which going from there.”
The Ravens may have 5 months to achieve a brand new cope with Smith earlier than he turns into an unrestricted free agent. Baltimore could be unable to make use of the franchise tag on Smith until the staff can signal quarterback Lamar Jackson to an extension earlier than March. The Ravens are anticipated to place the tag on Jackson to maintain him from free company.
Like Jackson, Smith doesn’t have an agent and represents himself. Ravens officers have mentioned beforehand that the dearth of an agent has created “uncommon” contract negotiations with Jackson. Now, the Ravens have the same state of affairs with Smith.
“Instances are altering,” Smith mentioned on why he would not have an agent. “Truthfully, I believe gamers wish to be on the desk and need, like, a 100% transparency. I believe that is the foremost factor. The charge you are paying brokers, you realize, some do nice jobs. I could be giving that to charity or household. However I even have a staff of advisers as effectively, so it isn’t simply me, on my own.”
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