WATCH: Roquan Smith breaks down learning of Robert Quinn trade in middle of press conference
The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, with teams needing to finalize any moves before 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 1. And as deals get made, even players are often finding out in real time. On Wednesday, Chicago dealt defensive lineman Robert Quinn to Philadelphia, with the news coming while Quinn’s teammate, Roquan Smith, was in the middle of a press conference with the media.
Smith broke down during the press conference, struggling to keep it together.
“I have a great deal of respect for that guy,” Smith said, pulling his orange shirt over his mouth as he whispered. “Crazy.”
Quinn arrived in Chicago in 2020, quickly becoming an impact player on the defense. He logged 76 tackles, 21.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles for the Bears.
He was a monster in 2021, racking up an eye-popping 18.5 sacks on the season.
Quinn and Smith, a former first-round NFL Draft pick by the Bears in 2018, had developed a tight bond.
Chicago will reportedly be on the hook for the majority of the remaining salary for Quinn, according to reporting by Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Quinn was dealt for a fourth-round pick, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Roquan Smith draft pick paying off for Bears
While Roquan Smith was crushed by the Robert Quinn news on Wednesday, he has certainly been a huge part of the Bears defense since his selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Chicago drafted Smith with the No. 8 overall pick that year, and Smith has lived up to his lofty billing.
In five seasons in Chicago, Smith has already racked up 602 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 19 passes defended, seven interceptions, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown.
He was named a second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2021.
Smith was a superstar while at Georgia in college, earning unanimous All-American honors and the Butkus Award in 2017. He was also the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-SEC selection in 2017.