Former Bears coach Dave Wannstedt calls out Roquan Smith for ‘selfish’ behavior
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While he’s no longer an employee of the franchise, Dave Wannstedt is for some reason getting involved in the team’s contract negotiations with first-round selection Roquan Smith. Based on his recent comments, Wannstedt is sticking up for the Bears and acting as if he’s part of the team’s consultants.
The way the former Bears coach turned media member sees it, Smith and his representation are being selfish in regards to negotiations.
“It really doesn’t make much sense,” said Wannstedt, according to Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times. “The way [salaries] are slotted now … for a rookie to hold out because of some fine print, it’s pretty selfish from an agent standpoint to do that. This kid needs to be here. He needs to be practicing. These are valuable days. They play a preseason game a week from now. And you do not get these days back.
“You would think that an agent would be smart enough to understand that. At some point the player’s got to understand that, ‘This guy works for me. I’m not working for the agent.’ And you’ve got to stand up and say, ‘The contact’s fair. I need to get in practice and help this football team.’”
Apparently, Wannstedt has been shown all the fine print in the team’s contract with Smith. Realistically, he’s not seen any of it and is just shooting off at the mouth, as former NFL offensive lineman Joe Thomas suggested upon seeing these quotes.
I’m sure coach Wannstedt just gave the team everything they wanted in negotiations when he was coaching! If it’s so “important” for @RoquanSmith1 to be in camp for the team, why doesn’t the team give him what he’s asking for?🤔 maybe the @ChicagoBears are being unreasonable… https://t.co/5iAQrIZYhe
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) July 27, 2018
Smith was the eighth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He is one of only two NFL draftees (Sam Darnold) that has yet to sign his rookie contract.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
