ROQUAN SMITH NEWS

Gets fifth-year option The Bears have exercised the fifth-year option on Smith's rookie contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Smith is now under contract for two more seasons, albeit with a 2022 salary that's guaranteed for injury only. The eighth overall pick from the 2018 draft has emerged as one of the top inside linebackers in the NFL, recording three consecutive seasons with triple-digit tackles and multiple sacks. Smith missed the playoffs with an elbow injury, but his 2020 campaign otherwise went as planned, with the young linebacker notching career highs for tackles (139), pass defenses (seven) and interceptions (two).

APRIL 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Bears name Roquan Smith their Ed Block Courage Award winner Teammates voted Roquan Smith to be the Chicago Bears' recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. The award is given annually to one player on...

APRIL 22, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Bears linebacker Roquan Smith named 2020 Ed Block Courage Award winner Inside linebacker Roquan Smith has been named the 2020 winner of the Ed Block Courage award for the Chicago Bears.

APRIL 22, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Roquan Smith wins Ed Block Courage Award Veteran linebacker Roquan Smith has been named the winner of the Bears’ 2020 Ed Block Courage Award. Smith and the NFL’s other 31 recipients...

APRIL 22, 2021 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Vols hire Ekeler to coach outside linebackers, special teams

New Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has finalized his coaching staff by hiring Mike Ekeler as his outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator

MARCH 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bears roster tiers: Who are the building blocks? Who's on the bubble? Organizing the roster into tiers, from foundational pieces (Roquan Smith, Cole Kmet) to players on the bubble to those likely gone.

FEBRUARY 23, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Philip Rivers talks trash with Roquan Smith before timeout Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers talks trash to Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith.

JANUARY 20, 2021 • NFL.COM

Saints' Kamara, Thomas active; Bears scratch Jaylon Johnson

Saints running back Alvin Kamara and receiver Michael Thomas are in uniform for Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears after returning to the active roster a day earlier

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out for wild-card game Smith (elbow) has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card game against the Saints, Adam Hoge of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact It was trending this way all week, as Smith was unable to practice after suffering an elbow injury during last week's loss to the Packers. The third-year linebacker stacked up a whopping 139 tackles over 16 games this year, and he's been notably strong in coverage as well, adding seven pass breakups and two interceptions. Josh Woods (toe), who is listed as questionable, will step in for Smith if he's active. Otherwise, Joel Iyiegbuniwe looks like the next man up.

JANUARY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

The Latest: Heinicke starts for Washington vs. Brady, Bucs

Alex Smith is inactive with a calf injury

JANUARY 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chicago Bears list Roquan Smith, Darnell Mooney and Jaylon Johnson as questionable for Sunday’s playoff game; New Orleans Saints rule out Trey Hendrickson The Chicago Bears listed inside linebacker Roquan Smith, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and cornerback Jaylon Johnson as questionable to play...

JANUARY 8, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Bears LB Smith, WR Mooney questionable for playoff vs Saints

The Chicago Bears might have to get by without some important players in their wild-card game against the New Orleans Saints

JANUARY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Officially questionable Smith (elbow) is questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup in New Orleans.

Impact Smith sat out all three of Chicago's practice sessions this week due to an elbow injury suffered during the team's regular-season finale, but it appears that he has a chance to suit up against the Saints. With backup interior linebacker Josh Woods (toe) also listed as questionable, Joel Iyiegbuniwe would be a candidate to step into an increased role if Smith can't go. It would be a notable blow to Chicago's defense if the unit's leading tackler were unavailable against the Saints' high-octane offense.

JANUARY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

2020 NFL All-Pro Team Voting

2020 NFL All-Pro Team Voting

JANUARY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

2020 NFL All-Pro Team Roster

2020 NFL All-Pro Team Roster

JANUARY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bears 'holding out hope' that Roquan Smith can play vs. Saints Roquan Smith suffered an elbow injury against the Packers, and his status is uncertain for Sunday’s wild-card game vs. Saints.

JANUARY 8, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Rodgers leads Pack to top of NFC after draft disappointment

Joining mainstays Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Russell Wilson in the NFC playoffs this year is Tom Brady

JANUARY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Next Gen Stats-based 2020 NFL All-Pro Team: Defense Nick Shook uses Next Gen Stats to assemble a 2020 All-Pro squad. Did Myles Garrett and Roquan Smith make the cut on defense?

JANUARY 7, 2021 • NFL.COM

All-NFC North defense, special teams 2020: Scouts rank players at each position From Za’Darius Smith to Roquan Smith, a look at the top defensive players at every position in the NFC North.

JANUARY 7, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Bruised Bears could be without Smith, Mooney against Saints

The Chicago Bears could be down two important players when they visit Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints for a wild-card game on Sunday, with inside linebacker Roquan Smith and...

JANUARY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

How will the Chicago Bears defense slow down New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara? That question is complicated by the absence of Roquan Smith. The Chicago Bears are likely to play without linebacker Roquan Smith this week against the New Orleans Saints. How will that affect the effo...

JANUARY 6, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Non-participant Wednesday Smith (elbow) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Impact Chicago held a walkthrough Wednesday, but Smith would not have been able to participate in a traditional practice due to the elbow injury he suffered in the regular season finale. The linebacker led the Bears with 139 tackles this season, and his absence would open up even more opportunities for the high-powered Saints rushing attack Sunday if Smith's unable to heal up by then.

JANUARY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bears not sweating how they reached postseason

The Chicago Bears aren't worrying about how they made the playoffs

JANUARY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

3 key moments from the Chicago Bears’ 35-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers, including Roquan Smith’s injury and the failed 4th-and-1 So before the Chicago Bears turn the page to their playoff game against New Orleans, here are three key moments from the loss to the Green B...

JANUARY 4, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Banged-up Chicago Bears back into playoff spot

The Chicago Bears have backed into the playoffs, but they have some health concerns heading into next weekend's matchup with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints

JANUARY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS