Chicago Bears LB Roquan Smith ends hold-in, to play out final year of rookie deal

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith ended his hold-in on Saturday and was on the field during practice for the first time during training camp.

Smith, 25, said he plans to play out the final year of his rookie contract, where he is set to earn $9.7 million on his fifth-year option, and that negotiations are «over right now.»

«I thought it was very distasteful, to say the least,» Smith said of contract talks between himself and the Bears. «Wasn't what I anticipated, nor did I, like what I expected from the situation, but I'm grateful for the fans, all the loyal fans and everyone, the players as well in the locker room and the city of Chicago that stood behind me throughout this process. It means a lot to myself.

»But now, I'm just shifting my focus to the season and more so just focused on being the best teammate I can be to those guys in the locker room."

Smith demanded a trade on Aug. 9 in a written statement after accusing the Bears of not negotiating in good faith. After reporting to training camp on time, Smith was immediately placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

Smith says he has not been fined by the Bears for the practices he skipped after he was removed from the PUP list upon passing a physical, which came one day after his trade request.

The Bears held a non-padded practice on Saturday, two days after their 27-11 preseason win at Seattle. Smith went through stretching and nearly all individual drills with Chicago's linebackers. He did not participate in the team portion of practice and is in a ramp up period, according to head coach Matt Eberflus.