Ex-Bear Smith glad to be competing: 'My career is not going down the drain'

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is thrilled to be playing for a title contender after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears.

Smith told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that had he remained in Chicago, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl in the near future.

"Man, it's pretty crazy thinking back to when I was initially traded," Smith said. "It was bittersweet for me, just knowing Chicago and rightfully so. But if I would've stayed there, honestly, (I) wouldn't have been able to compete for a title any time soon. And then when I came over here, it took me a while, like a couple of weeks, to really realize how stacked this team was, as well as how many good people there are on this team, and how they just bring in truly good people.

"And when I just think about it from the perspective of having the opportunity to compete for one year in and year out with the talent we have. Man, it makes me so happy, just knowing my career is not going down the drain, in the sense of playing somewhere where I’m not truly competing for a title."

Smith requested a trade from the Bears prior to the start of the 2022 season after the two sides were unable to agree to a contract extension. He was then dealt to the Ravens in October 2022.

The Ravens currently sit atop the AFC North at 7-2 and are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, while the Bears are 2-7.