Former Bears LB Roquan Smith 'shocked' by trade to Ravens

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After his first practice since leaving the Bears, Roquan Smith was all smiles, a week after he broke down in tears.

Smith said he was shocked to be traded a day before the deadline.

Smith said he didn't plan to get traded, but he did. Initially, I was surprised. I'm looking forward to being here. I'm in the game to win a title with a good group of guys.

Smith went from the rebuilding Bears to the first place Ravens. He wants to give a boost to a Baltimore defense that has allowed a league-worst 83 fourth-quarter points this season.

The Ravens have reached the playoffs five times this decade, but haven't advanced past the divisional round since winning the Super Bowl.

Smith knows that they are trying to win the big game. I think I can help with that. I am excited to be able to make that happen.

According to a source, the Ravens traded a second- and fifth-round pick in 2020 to the Bears for Smith. The Ravens were able to get Smith under their salary cap because the Bears paid almost $5 million of his salary for the rest of the season.

Smith wouldn't say if he has begun negotiations on a contract extension with Baltimore.

He said he was not focused on that. I'm focused on honing in on this playbook right now and getting to that, because everything has happened so fast. My main focus right now is to get a good relationship with the guys and then go from there

Before Smith becomes an unrestricted free agent, the Ravens have five months to reach a new contract with him. If the team can't sign Lamar Jackson to an extension before March, Baltimore won't be able to use the franchise tag on Smith. Jackson is expected to be tagged by the Ravens to keep him from becoming a free agent.

Smith doesn't have an agent or represent himself. The lack of an agent has caused unusual contract negotiations with Jackson. The Ravens have the same situation with Smith.

Smith doesn't have an agent due to the changing times. Players want to be at the table and transparent. The major thing is that. Some agents do great work. I can give it to someone. I have a team of advisers as well.