The Chicago Bears were one of the teams that experienced the most change this offseason. Along the coaching staff and roster, the Bears will look vastly different in 2025.
The NFL decided to release the regular season schedule on Wednesday night, and teams around the league know how they are slated to play from Weeks 1-18.
Players are already highlighting certain matchups they are excited to suit up for, and former Bears LB Roquan Smith is ready to suit up against his ex-team. Chicago travels to play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8, and Smith is looking for revenge.
During an appearance on NFL Network's schedule unveiling, Smith said, "I'm definitely excited for the Chicago game. I'm very excited for that one. I have a couple of guys over there. I still keep up with a lot of my friends that are still in Chicago, so I know a lot of them are gonna be here at the game. And it's going to be one that I've been looking forward to for a little while now."
After being taken with the eighth pick in the 2018 NFL draft, he spent five seasons with the Bears. Things took a turn when he was looking for a new deal, but GM Ryan Poles didn't bite.
The Ravens sent a second and fifth-round pick to Chicago in exchange for Smith in October 2022. Less than a year later, the Ravens gave Smith a five-year, $100 million extension that featured $45 million guaranteed. That deal made him the highest-paid LB in the league.
The Bears clearly didn't want to go that high, which is why they moved on. Things like that stay on the mind of a player, so of course, he's looking forward to playing his former team. Getting a win against the team that drafted you would be sweet for Smith, while the Bears will be looking to take down an AFC powerhouse and a former player at the same time.