Coaches gushed over Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and questioned why the Chicago Bears decided to trade him as part of ESPN's rankings of the top off-ball linebackers in the NFL ahead of the 2023 season.
Smith came in at No. 2 in the rankings, and according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an anonymous NFL coordinator said, "I can't believe [the Bears] let him out of their building."
Another coordinator praised Smith's all-around skill set, saying, "He's everything a linebacker is supposed to be. Doesn't have a weakness. Intelligence, versatility, consistent tackler, plus athleticism."
The Ravens acquired the 26-year-old Smith from the Bears in October in exchange for second- and fifth-round picks in 2023 and linebacker A.