Bears' Trevathan proud of rookie Smith for contract holdout

Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith was the last of April's first-round picks to sign his rookie contract when he did so Tuesday.

While Smith caused a stir among some Bears fans, Danny Trevathan says the No. 8 overall pick may have improved contract negotiations for those who come after him.

"I'm proud because he made a decision and stuck with it," Trevathan said Wednesday, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. "I'm more proud … It's going to lead to more people doing that."

Smith's four-year rookie deal is worth more than $18 million and includes $11.5 million in guarantees. It was widely reported that the Bears' front office wanted to retain the ability to void some of his guarantees if he got suspended. Smith's camp was particularly concerned about how the enforcement of the NFL's new helmet rule would affect the linebacker's potential earnings.

His 29-day holdout ended after the team officially agreed it would only take away his contract guarantees if he's suspended three or more games for a football play or if he's suspended two or more games for an incident after the whistle.

Smith's teammates don't have that assurance in their contracts, according to Finley. The Bears could have voided Trevathan's guarantees last season after he was suspended one game but elected not to.

"It was big for (Smith) to do that," said Trevathan. "It was tough. I know he wanted to get here with his team, and a lot of people were saying, 'Oh, he needs to get there,' and a lot of other bullcrap. You've just got to focus on you sometimes. You only get one chance to do that and I told him, 'Do it the right way - your heart will never lead you wrong. Do the job and then get here so we can win some games.'"