(670 The Score) A week after Bears linebacker Roquan Smith was snubbed of a Pro Bowl selection, his teammates and coaches have a new goal in mind for him: All-Pro honors.
"It's an imperfect science," Bears inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone said. "I feel bad for him because I think he's played as good as anybody in the league, if not the best this year, at that position.
"We'll see what happens here with the All-Pro deal, because I do think he's going to make that and I think he should."
While he was overlooked for the Pro Bowl, the 23-year-old Smith bolstered his case to be an All-Pro with his performance in the Bears' 41-17 win against the Jaguars on Sunday. He posted eight tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Smith is second in the NFL with 97 solo tackles and 17 tackles for a loss, numbers that highlighted his case for the Pro Bowl. The Seahawks' Bobby Wagner and 49ers' Fred Warner were selected as the NFC's two inside linebackers over Smith. With the Pro Bowl not being played this January amid the pandemic, no alternate selections will be made.
Pro Bowl honors are voted on by fans, players and coaches, with each group counting for one-third of the tally. All-Pro selections are made by media members. Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack and kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson were Chicago's lone selections to the Pro Bowl.
"I mean that's crazy that he didn't receive that honor, because he definitely deserves it," Mack said. "I wish I could give him my bid. At the end of the day, Roquan is a special, special player and a special person. Not only is he doing his job, but he's helping others do theirs by communicating. And just seeing the growth as a player on the field and communication and putting us in the right places. Getting calls out, it's special to see. It's crazy, but understanding that he's having a hell of a year is enough."
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Smith is producing a strong season that could put him in line for a contract extension this coming offseason. Earning an All-Pro selection would be another feather in the cap of Smith. Those honors will be announced next week after the end of the regular season.
"Roquan Smith, he is a very rare player that it doesn't matter what the scheme is," DeLeone said. "He's going to be an elite linebacker in any defense, and I don't think there's a lot of other guys like that in our league."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.