Chicago Bears: Roquan Smith gets snubbed again, NFL Top 100
By Dakota Wayne
Here we go again… another Roquan Smith diss — a constant for the man in the middle of the Chicago Bears defense.
Smith puts up some of the league’s best numbers, and yet, he doesn’t find himself being ranked among the NFL’s Top 100 players of 2021? Before I choose violence, let’s try to put ourselves into the mind of those that create the list.
Chicago Bears, Roquan Smith snubbed once again, this time by the NFL Top 100
It seems like no matter what Roquan Smith does, he finds himself being seen as an “average Joe”, or at least not the first guy to come to mind.
However, Roquan Smith is far from an “average Joe.”
Not to throw shade on any players, but to have K.J. Wright and Demario Davis on this list is enough for me to know it’s not merit-based, it’s popularity-based.
In the 2020 season, here’s how the three linebackers stacked up against each other.
Linebacker 1: 139* total tackles, 98* solo tackles, 18* tackles for loss, 4* sacks, 2* interceptions
Linebacker 2: 132 total tackles, 86 solo tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 0 interceptions
Linebacker 3: 125 total tackles, 79 solo tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2* interceptions
Linebacker 4: 138 total tackles, 81 solo tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 0 interceptions
* lead group in the category
One of these linebackers didn’t place in the NFL Top 100, while the rest of these linebackers placed within the top 40 of the 2021 NFL Top 100.
Linebacker 1: Roquan Smith, no 2021 NFL Top 100 honors
Linebacker 2: Darius Leonard, 37th in 2021 NFL Top 100
Linebacker 3: Fred Warner, 21st in 2021 NFL Top 100
Linebacker 4: Bobby Wagner, 25th in 2021 NFL Top 100
I know this is more of a popularity contest than anything and Roquan Smith isn’t necessarily the most outspoken person, but you’d think that with such a lead on most major stats, the numbers would speak for themselves.
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That’s not the case for Roquan Smith, as he’s once again unnoticed by his peers for yet another season. Oh well, luckily these awards mean — how do I say this — not much. If anything, it probably gives a guy like Roquan Smith a not-that-needed jolt to continue performing at the highest level. I’m sure the Chicago Bears and Sean Desai won’t mind it.