Bears linebacker Roquan Smith was on the turf at Soldier Field on Saturday — but he wasn’t playing.
Smith, who demanded a trade Tuesday, did conditioning work with his teammates about two hours before kickoff of Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Chiefs. When the game began, Smith stood on the Bears sideline in a navy T-shirt, shorts and a camouflage Bears visor.
Speaking in his weekly appearance the team-sanctioned pregame show, general manager Ryan Poles reiterated what he said Tuesday.
“I’ll say it over and over — I love the player and what he’s done on the field,” Poles said on WBBM-AM.