Roquan Smith has yet to make a Pro Bowl in his NFL career. That is something Chicago Bears fans are still trying to figure out. The same can be said for his coaches. Sean Desai is already on the record saying it was a “travesty.” Matt Nagy called him one of the best linebackers in the league. Somebody who would agree with that sentiment is inside linebackers coach Bill McGovern.
That may seem like a cheap plug but the fact is the veteran assistant has coached some really good players at that position in his career. DeMeco Ryans is one such example. A two-time Pro Bowler. However, McGovern made a more lofty comparison for Smith. He doesn’t just see the 24-year old as an elite linebacker. He sees Hall of Fame potential in him according to Mark Grote of 670 The Score.
Bears ILB coach Bill McGovern comped Roquan Smith to Luke Kuechly, whom McGovern also coached.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) December 27, 2021
That is an amazing compliment.
Luke Kuechly is probably the best middle linebacker the NFL has seen in the past decade. A five-time All-Pro, he racked up over 1,000 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 16 interceptions in his career. This is despite having to retire at age 29 due to concussion problems. An absolute beast. To put Roquan Smith in that category sounds a bit over the top, but it isn’t. Four years into his career, the Bears star already has 510 tackles with 14 sacks and five interceptions.
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god I love Roquan Smith. so quick to see this screen developing. has the athleticism to split two blockers in space and still bend his way back to the ball carrier. pic.twitter.com/y5KXHuW2zO
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) December 23, 2021
Just under halfway to Kuechly’s tackle production and already beat his career sack total. Nobody is arguing that the former Carolina Panthers legend will be in the Hall of Fame a few years from now. At the current pace Smith is on, he might have all of those same numbers and more locked up before he even hits 30-years old. A crazy thing to consider.
Maybe then the wider NFL will put some damn respect on his name. Either way, if there is one draft pick Ryan Pace can hang his hat on as an unqualified home run? That is Smith. Lots of people felt he was going to be good in the pros after his standout Georgia career. They probably didn’t expect him to excel like this.
If McGovern is already making a comparison to Kuechly? Maybe it’s time to accept that he has entered the greatness chat.
