(670 The Score) When the Bears selected Roquan Smith eighth overall in 2018, they believed he could develop into a star linebacker in time.
The 23-year-old Smith has been a strong presence for the Bears' defense during his 28 games across two seasons but hasn't quite reached the high potential that he and others imagined. It's something Smith himself is willing to acknowledge entering his third NFL season.
"I got a huge chip on my shoulder," Smith said on a teleconference Wednesday. "Just really excited. I don't want much hype going into the year, because I know my mindset and what I plan to do this upcoming season. God willing, I stay healthy, I definitely feel like it's going to be my best year to date. I feel like I'm going to do some things. A lot of people counted me out."
Smith has been recovering from surgery in December to repair a torn pectoral. He believes it's now completely healed, and the Bears' hope is that he'll be ready for training camp in late July.
Beyond injury, Smith had other challenges to regroup from as well. He had one-game absence due to personal reasons in late September. And on the day the Bears cleaned out their lockers in late December, Smith was involved in a one-car crash near Halas Hall.
Smith had 101 tackles and two sacks in 12 games in 2019. Managing adversity allowed him to identify "who is with you and who is not with you," Smith said.
Now, Bears coach Matt Nagy sees Smith in the right frame of mind as a new season looms.
"He's growing," Nagy said. "I really think he's going to have a good 2020."
Smith has the support of his teammates too. They recognize he possesses tremendous talent in the heart of their defense but is also still maturing.
In Smith, the Bears hope they have a rock for years to come.
"Had a really good first year, good second year," Bears cornerback Buster Skrine said. "I really feel like the sky's the limit for him."
Though Smith joined the Bears as an All-American from Georgia and unquestioned top prospect, his acclimation to the NFL has been more gradual than anticipated. He knows there are no excuses in his third season.
Both he and the Bears are counting on his growth in 2020.
"I just feel like I have a lot that I have to live up to myself -- my personal goals and then team goals and things of that nature," Smith said. "I'm definitely just trying to make this year my best year possible, better than any of the other years I've had, and just maximize myself.
"If I come out each and every week and play to my standard, I feel like everything else will just take care of itself. That's my main thing, like, coming out and playing to my standard, doing whatever I can to control what I can, and not letting up anything. Just being relentless. Just putting everything on me."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
