The Associated Press announced its All-Pro teams on Friday, where three Bears were among those players recognized for the 2021 season.
While they didn’t have any first-teamers, linebacker Roquan Smith, outside linebacker Robert Quinn and punt returner Jakeem Grant were named to the All-Pro second team. Smith tied for fourth in voting at linebacker, Quinn was third in voting at edge rusher and Grant was second in voting at punt returner.
There’s a huge argument to made for Smith and Quinn both being snubbed as first-team All-Pros, as they were among the best at their position in 2021.
Quinn had the second-most sacks in the NFL, with 18.5, behind only Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt (22.5). Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, who made the first-team over Quinn, had 2.5 sacks less than Quinn in one more game played. Quinn had at least one sack in eight of his last nine games, and he had 0.5 sack in the finale. By comparison, Garrett had just one sack in the final month of the season.
Smith continues to be one of the NFL’s most underrated players. He finished the 2021 season with 163 total tackles (4th in NFL), 12 tackles for loss (4th among linebackers), 27 pass tackle stops (1st), 3.6 missed tackle percentage (2nd) and had a 76.8 passer rating allowed (7th for LBs).
Quinn and Grant were also named to the Pro Bowl roster, where Smith was a notable snub. That’s two second-team All-Pro nods for Smith and still no Pro Bowls.
[listicle id=494695]