5 bold Chicago Bears predictions for remainder of the offseason

1. The Chicago Bears extend Roquan Smith on a hefty deal

Maybe the only remaining item on the must-do list this offseason is for the Bears to extend linebacker Roquan Smith — and they better do it quickly before his price goes up.

We have seen some large contracts handed out this offseason, and it doesn’t look like the top-tier players will get paid any less, any soon. Smith is going to be one of those guys who gets paid top dollar, even though the Pro Bowl and All Pro voting hasn’t always gone in his favor.

Smith is now the anchor and heart of this defense. He is the clear-cut leader, and he’s played like it for a couple of years now. The ability for teams to find sideline-to-sideline speed and playmaking ability nowadays can be tough, but the Bears found it in Smith.

Having now topped the 100-tackle mark in every single season of his career, Smith continues to improve. Last year, he amassed 163 total tackles, including 12 for a loss. Each year he’s been in the league, Smith has come up with at least one interception and has totaled 17 passes defended.

He is truly a do-it-all linebacker and the Bears must pay up. Now is the time, and the extension could be coming very soon.