NFL: Chicago Bears All-Pro Roquan Smith returns to practice ending ‘hold-in’ after requesting trade

Chicago Bears All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith finally ended his hold-in amid failed contract talks.

‘Negotiations are over right now,’ Smith said Saturday.

Smith had not participated in any on-field activities since summer OTAs, though coaches and teammates say he remained engaged during meetings and on the sidelines.

‘I thought it was very distasteful, to say the least,’ Smith said of contract talks between himself and the Bears. 

‘Wasn’t what I anticipated, nor did I, like what I expected from the situation, but I’m grateful for the fans, all the loyal fans and everyone, the players as well in the locker room and the city of Chicago that stood behind me throughout this process. It means a lot to myself.

‘But now, I’m just shifting my focus to the season and more so just focused on being the best teammate I can be to those guys in the locker room.’

Smith’s dissatisfaction even led to the 2018 No. 8 overall pick publicly requesting to be traded away from the Bears.

‘I’m betting on myself,’ Smith said.

Smith participated in individual drills upon his return to practice as he takes the next steps to working himself into football shape.

‘Obviously, Roquan was out there today. We were super excited about that. He did individual today. He’s in a ramp-up phase to get back to action,’ said head coach Matt Eberflus. 

‘All along, he’s been conditioning with the strength staff on the side and he’s doing good there. Now, we’re just ramping him up to play football. There’s a process to that and we’re in that process right now.’

Eberflus would not go on to comment on the status of Smith’s contract or negotiations, stating they were between Smith and General Manger Ryan Poles.