LAKE FOREST (Ill.) — The Chicago Bears Linebacker removed Roquan Smith The team announced Wednesday that they had removed the PUP (physically unable to perform) from their list.
This announcement comes one day after Smith (25), stated in a written statement that Smith requested a trade, after contract negotiations between Smith’s linebacker team and himself reached an impasse.
Smith did not report to training camp with a new contract. However, he was expected to continue to wait until he and Bears had reached an agreement. Smith is the former first-round draft pick and will be entering the last year of his rookie agreement, which is expected to pay him $9.7 million.
Smith was a part of the Bears offseason training program while awaiting a contract extension. He did not seem to have sustained any injuries. The linebacker was seen at each of the 12 training camp practices. He is often seen on a stationary bike riding and doing rehabilitation exercises near the weight room.
The collectively bargaining agreement requires NFL teams to pay all players while they are on the PUP roster. Smith may be fined $40,000 per hour if he does not practice. D.K., Seattle wide receiver Metcalf and San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel Both were held at training camp for several consecutive days as they waited on new contracts. However, neither was fined by their respective organisations.