CHICAGO — A little before 9 a.m. Wednesday, the Chicago Bears officially placed linebacker Roquan Smith on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, a somewhat peculiar roster move that came a day after general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged Smith’s contract dismay and the possibility it could affect his availability during training camp.
Still, sticking to the script after Wednesday’s camp practice, Eberflus insisted something came up during Smith’s team physical Monday that led to his PUP designation. What specifically?
“I’m not going to talk about a bunch of injuries or this and that,” Eberflus said.
Playfully asked whether an attention-grabbing contract extension might magically make Smith physically able to perform again, Eberflus didn’t even crack a smile.
“Well, I know right now that he is on (PUP),” the Bears coach said. “And that’s all I can say at this time.”
Look, by this point everyone knows what this is, no matter how much misdirection the Bears try to run. Smith, entering the final year of his rookie contract, wants a new deal that rewards him as one of the most impactful defensive players in the game. And until contract negotiations with Poles and the front office move in a direction he finds palatable, Smith likely won’t return to the Halas Hall practice fields.
That’s why he spent the early portion of Wednesday’s practice pedaling away on a stationary bike rather than going through stretching or drills. That might become a familiar sight in the days and weeks ahead.
By checking in to camp on time Tuesday, Smith avoided an avalanche of fines that would have kicked in because of the collective bargaining agreement. But by keeping himself out of practices, Smith has an opportunity to apply added pressure to the front office, even with Poles’ continued public emphasis that he believes in Smith as a player and leader.
How things might evolve from here is anyone’s guess. Smith was again unavailable to reporters Wednesday and might not break his silence until he’s back on the active roster — which just might require him to have substantial financial security and a contract that extends well beyond March.
It’s also important to stress that Smith’s current situation is far from unique in the NFL. In San Francisco, for example, receiver Deebo Samuel is seeking a big-time payday from the 49ers as the enters the final season of his rookie contract. Samuel’s dissatisfaction spiked so much this spring that he asked the 49ers to trade him. But the boil of that situation has since lessened, and there are indications a new deal for Samuel could be coming before Week 1.
Like Smith, Samuel checked in to training camp on time this week. Also like Smith, he is not practicing, instead doing conditioning work off to the side, according to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
(Unlike Smith, Samuel was not placed on the PUP list.)
Last summer in Pittsburgh, All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt staged a similar “hold-in,” reporting to camp but declining to take part in team drills or on-field activities that included hitting. That was framed as Watt’s way of protecting himself physically until the team gave him long-term financial security.
As Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler noted last August, “You don’t want to get hurt when you are trying to get your contract done. Then you lose some sort of flexibility in terms of what you can sign.”
In September, Watt agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract extension that included a $35 million signing bonus and $80 million guaranteed.
For the Bears, it might take a five-year extension in the ballpark of $100 million with a large chunk of that guaranteed to help Smith blend back into the defense. But there might be added complexity to Smith’s contract talks given he doesn’t have an agent.
For now, this is all just a minor inconvenience but a headache nonetheless for a rebuilding team that has so many other major issues to be sorting through.
Eberflus was asked Wednesday what his communication with Smith has been like since Tuesday.
“He’s really in a good spot,” Eberflus said. “We had a great conversation, just talking to him about where he is. He’s focused. He’s in meetings and he’s wired in in that way.”
Eberflus also emphasized his expectations for Smith while he’s off the practice field.
“Stay involved. Be a leader. Be engaged,” Eberflus said. “Which he is doing and will do. He’s a pro. He’s been in the league long enough. He’s a really good player. We’re excited to have him as a Chicago Bear.”
Eberflus and his coaches will be even more excited once Smith is practicing again. But that timeline could be contingent on how flexible and generous Poles wants to be to make his standout linebacker happy contractually. And for right now, that dance is being danced behind the scenes.
