Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times, Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Trading Roquan Smith was unthinkable before Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus were hired, but a distinct possibility almost from the moment they entered the door at Halas Hall.
At the time, Smith was the best thing the Bears had going for them as the Ryan Pace/Matt Nagy era ended in January —a two-time All-Pro linebacker, yet still considered overshadowed and underrated, and still only 24.
He was the kind of proven star a general manager and coach inheriting a bad roster but eager to accentuate the positive could have hung his hat on in the opening press conference for Poles and Eberflus in January.