Roquan Smith

Roquan Smith: The Rise of a Defensive Star

Imagine a football field as a battlefield, and Roquan Smith as its general. Born on April 8, 1997, in Athens, Georgia, he has been leading the charge since his freshman year at the University of Georgia.

The Bulldog Years

At Georgia, under coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart, Roquan Smith was a force to be reckoned with. As a freshman, he recorded 20 tackles, setting the stage for his future success. But it was as a sophomore that he truly shone, starting 10 games with an impressive 95 tackles. In 2017, he won the Butkus Award, and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year. These accolades were just the beginning of his journey.

The NFL Leap

With such a promising college career, it’s no surprise that Roquan Smith decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft. He was selected by the Chicago Bears with the eighth overall pick. However, his contract signing was delayed due to disputes over language in his rookie contract. This delay only added fuel to the fire, making him even more determined to prove himself on the field.

The First Season

In his first season, Smith made significant contributions. He sacked DeShone Kizer in Week 1 and had 13 tackles against both the Dolphins and Bills. Two sacks against Matthew Stafford and an interception return for a touchdown further solidified his status as a key player. In a Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he led the team with seven tackles. He finished the season with 121 tackles, five sacks, five passes defended, and one interception. His performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team and Pro Bowl alternate.

The Years That Follow

From 2019 to 2021, Roquan Smith continued his impressive run with the Bears. In 2019, he recorded a team-high 13 tackles in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. He intercepted a pass thrown by Jared Goff in the 17–7 loss to the Rams and sacked rookie quarterback David Blough twice in the 24–20 win over the Lions. In 2020, he led the team with 12 tackles and two sacks during the 36–7 win over the Texans. He also intercepted Mike Glennon twice in a game against the Jaguars, becoming the first Bears player with multiple interceptions since Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

The Fifth-Year Option

In 2021, the Bears exercised the fifth-year option on Smith’s contract, which guarantees him $9.7 million for the 2022 season. That year, he intercepted a pass by Joe Burrow and returned it 53 yards for his first defensive touchdown in a 20–17 win against the Bengals. He finished the season with one interception and 163 total tackles.

The Trade to Ravens

However, Roquan Smith’s journey didn’t end there. In 2022, he announced that he had requested a trade due to the ‘new front office regime doesn’t value me here.’ He was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on October 31, 2022. J.Klein, a 2023 second-round pick, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and earned first team All-Pro honors. Klein finished the 2022 season with 169 total tackles.

The Future

In 2023, Smith changed his number to ‘0’ and had a career-high 21 tackles in a game. He signed a five-year, $100 million extension with the Ravens in January 2023, becoming the highest paid linebacker in the league without an agent.

Roquan Smith’s journey is a testament to hard work, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. From his days at Georgia to his current status as one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL, he has proven that he is more than just a player—he is a leader on and off the field.