(670 The Score) The Bears will exercise the fifth-year option on linebacker Roquan Smith, NFL Media reported Tuesday.
Smith is set to be paid $9.735 million for the 2022 season under the fifth-year option, which is included in the contracts of first-round picks. Smith was the No. 8 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Smith had 139 combined tackles, four sacks and two interceptions in a breakout 2020 season. His strong performance came after an offseason recovery from a torn pectoral that ended his 2019 campaign after 12 games.
Since the Bears hired general manager Ryan Pace in 2015, only one of his first-round picks has been awarded the fifth-year option. That was linebacker Leonard Floyd, who was released last offseason and didn't play out his fifth season in Chicago.




