After starting his career with the Chicago Bears, linebacker Roquan Smith was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens. In 2025, he’ll have his first opportunity to face off against the Bears since the trade, in Week 8 specifically.
Chicago as a franchise are in a much different position from when they traded away Smith. But at the same time, the linebacker has continuously proved to be one of the best at his position. The Ravens want to elevate themselves to Super Bowl contenders while the Bears are trying to prove their Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams pairing is elite. Their Week 8 matchup was going to be high intensity regardless.
But Smith will have a bit extra juice heading into the game. While he doesn’t hold any ill will against the Bears, at least that he is willing to admit publicly, he still knows members of the organization and wants to show them what they’re missing out on, via the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen.
“I’m very excited for that one,” Smith said of the Bears matchup. “I have a couple guys over there I still know, keep up with and a lot of my friends are in Chicago. I know a lot of them are going to be at the game. It’s going to be one I’ve been looking forward to for a little while now.
“Each and every guy who’s out there, lined up across from me. Whether that’s center, running back, [D’Andre] Swift my guy from college, a receiver across the middle, a tight end, whoever,” Smith said. “Every single guy has to get dealt with.”
Roquan Smith’s evolution after Chicago Bears
During his five year run with the Bears, Smith racked up 607 tackles, 16.5 sacks and seven interceptions. However, with the team unwilling to give him a long-term contract, the linebacker requested a trade. He was dealt to the Ravens for a second-round pick and fellow linebacker AJ Klein.
Traded during the 2022 season, Smith would go on to be nominated to the Pro Bowl and named an All-Pro for the first time in his career. It has set off a chain reaction, as the linebacker has been to the Pro Bowl and named an All-Pro his past three seasons.
Despite being named an All-Pro, Smith’s 2024 campaign could be considered a down year by his standards. He put up 154 tackles and 1.5 with both a forced fumble and interception. Smith earned a 65.2 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 86/189 linebackers.
But he is still a crucial part of the Ravens’ defense and entire team. Baltimore has come close to reaching the Super Bowl but continues to fall short in the playoffs. But if Smith elevates his game alongside the rest of the defense, they’ll continue to be one of the favorites.
For the Bears, their matchup against the Ravens will be a true litmus test. Right in the middle of the season, it’ll help determine if Chicago will actually be competing or not in 2025. Add in a fired up Smith, and the Bears’ Week 8 matchup has only gotten tougher.
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