OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens traded for Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith on Monday, a team source confirmed, filling a major weakness in the middle of their defense.
The Ravens are sending the Bears a second- and a fifth-round pick in 2023 to acquire Smith, the NFL’s leading tackler, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Ravens have long been looking to upgrade at inside linebacker, as Josh Bynes has struggled and Patrick Queen has fallen short of first-round expectations. In late March, Baltimore was close to landing free agent Bobby Wagner, who decided to sign with the Los Angeles Rams.
Smith has the second-most tackles (606) in the NFL since he entered the league in 2018, trailing only Wagner (656).
Fox Sports first reported the trade.
Smith was playing out the final year of his rookie contract — a $9.7 million fifth-year option — after the linebacker and the Bears failed to agree on an extension during the offseason.
The 25-year-old reported to training camp on time in July and was placed on the physically unable to perform list with an undisclosed injury. On Aug. 9, Smith publicly demanded a trade after he described contract talks between himself and the organization as “distasteful.” Smith ended his hold-in after nearly a month and returned to practice Aug. 20.
Through eight games, Smith leads the NFL with 83 total tackles and is third in solo tackles with 52. His solo tackles tally alone would rank second on the Ravens’ total tackles list, one behind Queen.
Smith also has 2.5 sacks and two interceptions this season.
The two-time All Pro linebacker is the second member of Chicago’s defense to be traded ahead of the Tuesday deadline. Defensive end Robert Quinn was sent to Philadelphia for a fourth-round pick last week. Including the second- and fifth-round selections Chicago received for Smith, the Bears have nine draft picks in 2023.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.