Bears first-round pick Roquan Smith is not with the team as the rookies report for training camp on Monday, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The linebacker and the Bears are still negotiating his rookie deal, so he may be staying away until an agreement is reached. 
For now, this technically is not a holdout. It won’t officially be a holdout unless Smith does not show on July 19 when veterans are due to arrive.
The Bears and Smith could be in disagreement over the linebacker’s offset language. Players with offset language who are cut before the end of their rookie contract have the remaining guaranteed money reduced by whatever they earns elsewhere. Without offset language, players get to double dip. Top 10 picks expect to complete their rookie contracts, but it’s an important issue for agents nonetheless.
Smith, the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, finished in the top ten of Heisman voting in his final year at Georgia. In 2017, he tallied 137 total tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks.
I can’t help but feel this offset stuff is the absolute dumbest thing to argue over in regards to rookie contracts
It’s not the issue itself, it’s the language used. It’s the entire basis of law. And it’s not the first time it’s screwed up a rookie debut- Heath Shuler had to wait until the lawyers figured out the language on his contract for something called an option buy back (which is standard now) and was seen as holding out By WAS fans. Wasn’t the case.
Am I the only one who took a quick glance at the headline and thought it said that he passed away?
Yikes! Probably
It appears your eyesight is on par with NFL game officials.
I’m just glad we can have a headline about a linebacker named Smith without it reporting that Aldon has been arrested again.