The Roquan Smith situation has turn out to be incredibly awkward over the past week. After Smith formally requested to be traded by the Bears, there was someone contacting NFL teams to gauge interest in a trade.
It wouldn’t normally be an issue for somebody with an authorized agent. But Smith doesn’t have an agent, which might mean any contact by an NFL team can be considered tampering.
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The NFL Management Council sent out a memo to NFL teams warning of a non-NFLPA certified agent by the name of “Saint Omni” contacting teams on Smith’s behalf.
The NFL Management Council sent a memo to clubs, warning them that an individual contacting clubs about trading for #Bears LB Roquan Smith isn’t an authorized agent and that any contact with a player under contract or his agent without direct written permission is tampering, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 15, 2022
Here’s the statement from the NFL, via ESPN:
“The NFLPA has informed us that an individual by the name of Saint Omni, who just isn’t an NFLPA certified agent, is contacting Clubs and indicating he’s representing Roquan Smith, who’s under contract to the Chicago Bears. Mr. Omni is prohibited from negotiating Player Contracts or discussing potential trades on behalf of any NFL player or prospective player or assisting in or advising with respect to such negotiations.”
The NFL is threatening disciplinary motion for tampering violations and reminding teams in regards to the rules involving trade talks.
Meanwhile, Bears general manager Ryan Poles said his intentions remain to sign Smith to a contract extension. Although he’ll ultimately do what’s best for the team.
Bears’ 53-man roster projection after the preseason opener
Predicting the primary 5 roster cuts for the Bears after preseason opener
